Jean-Alain Boumsong Somkong, (born December 14, 1979, in Cameroon), better known as Jean-Alain Boumsong, or simply Boumsong, is a professional football defender who currently plays for Newcastle United F.C. and the France national football team. He started his career with French team Le Havre F.C. before joining AJ Auxerre. He joined Alex McLeish at Rangers in 2004 and signed a five year contract. However, halfway through the 2004-05 season, Newcastle would make an £8 million bid for him, which Rangers accepted in a deal that was finalized once the January 2005 transfer window opened. Boumsong signed a 5½-year contract with the Magpies. However, as Boumsong has played the requisite number of games for Rangers that season, he still received a Scottish Championship Winners Medal, despite having been a Newcastle player for around 5 months by the time Rangers won the title.
His performances in a Newcastle shirt have led to widespread criticism with ex-Newcastle coach and Liverpool player Mark Lawrenson describing him as "The biggest joke in the Premiership". Many disagree with this sentiment and feel Boumsong is both talented and solid. In his partnership with Titus Bramble they have helped established a defence that hardly conceeds and intimidates their opponents. Pele has commented "he is better than I ever was".
He made his France debut against Japan in 2003 and went with the squad for Euro 2004 although he only made a brief appearance coming on as a substitute in one game.
