Get the FREE Mirror Football newsletter by email with the day's key headlines and transfer news Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Chancel Mbemba has vowed to keep wearing his famous tuxedo for Newcastle games.

The suit and bow tie combo — hastily bought from a Next store after manager Steve McClaren ordered his players to turn up at St James’ Park looking smart — has been a huge hit.

The Congolese defender strolled up for his debut not afraid to stand out from the crowd, just like his refreshing attitude to life.

This is a £8million buy who sends 10 per cent of his earnings back home —singling out the sick for help.

“Back home, if you don’t have any money [for treatment in hospitals] you will simply die,” he said. “That is why I give money to help people, because I can’t let that happen.”

(Image: Stu Forster)

This is a qualified sparky who loves to buy cables and electrical goods to practice his trade at home.

It has been a long journey from the “suffering” he saw as a child in Kinshasa, DR Congo’s capital, to being a multi-million pound new summer recruit for Newcastle.

But despite the slick James Bond-esque look he hasn’t forgotten his roots — or the little boy he was, aged three, playing street football.

First, THAT tuxedo, which made worldwide news after he rocked up for Sunday's season-opening draw with Southampton.

He said: “Every player needs to look smart before the game, we were told. So I bought the first suit I saw and it was the one I wanted to wear.

“That is the only suit I have, so I might have to wear it all season! I saw that other players wear ties. I don’t really like them, so I though I’d wear a dicky bow. And that suits me.

“I have seen that picture, pretending I’m James Bond, but that wasn’t the reason why I did it. I did it because the manager said, 'Look sharp on match days' — so I did!”

Mbemba speaks with emotion about helping his family — four sisters and four brothers — and friends back home.

He revealed: “As long as I am here, I will try my very best to send some money each month. When you grow up in Kinshasa, you see the suffering people go through. I know because I lived there and I have seen it hurts, because I have lived it myself.

“I am here to do my job, and to do my the best I can to help these people. When I give to them, their prayers are answered. It helps me to know I have helped someone else. I just want a nice quiet life and give to my family and give to those who need it most.”

In pictures — Newcastle 2-2 Southampton:

When he arrived in Belgium three years ago, he spoke only his local dialect, Lingala, and learned to read and write in French from scratch.

In case his football career didn’t work out, he also came armed with a trade.

He said: “Before I started playing football you had to study. I liked doing electrician jobs. We had to get basic skills and it interested me.

“I did it for fun at home, too! I would buy light bulbs and cables and work to learn. If I move to a flat this week, I can install all the electrical things myself.”

But there wasn’t much doubt that he’d come good, because he refused to take a day off training.

Mbemba explained: “If we had training on a Monday and a Tuesday, and we were off on a Wednesday, I wasn’t just going to sit around at home doing nothing.

“I wanted to work hard. You have a choice in life, and if you work hard it pays off. The reason I am here now is because of that.

"I started out kicking a ball in the streets, like everyone does around the world. I was playing with friends and one said I was playing well and to come to the local team, La Grace.

“They liked me after a trial and I went to train with them.

(Image: Reuters)

"What is important is to make sure football is a leisure activity. You never know where it is going to lead.

“People would say it is a God-given gift, playing football, and I didn’t understand. I kept asking, 'Why? Why?' They said if you want to be one of the great African players this is how it works, you have to go out and play for fun.

“I spent two years at a third division team, the next year at the next division and after 15 matches they said, 'You will play for Anderlecht'. I thought, 'Three years [with the Brussels club], then get in a very big league' — no disrespect to Belgium.

“Now I want to help improve the team and improve myself. I am not one of the best players in the world, there are better. I am learning from senior players at Newcastle who are teaching me every day on the pitch.

“It is great to be included by them. Everyone, the team and staff are working together to make progress and get up the league.”