Blackburn, Wigan and Derby County have all suffered from run lasting over 200 games: View | OneFootball

Ryan Nyambe has played over 250 games throughout his senior career.

The 26-year-old is a reliable defender in the EFL, who most regularly plays at right-back. He has enjoyed a solid eight years as a senior player, appearing for Blackburn Rovers, Wigan Athletic and Derby County.

Despite possessing bundles of experience in the Football League and achieving two promotions, there is one simple thing he is yet to do: score a professional goal.

Having joined Blackburn Rovers' academy at the age of 13 before playing for several campaigns with the first team, Nyambe is no doubt enjoying his football, but he will be desperate to finally score his first professional goal. Even since departing Blackburn in 2022, he has failed to find the back of the net, but perhaps his moment may come next season for Derby County.

Nyambe has suffered from this goalless run for his entire senior career, so when he does eventually score his first, it will be a delightful moment for the Namibia international.

Ryan Nyambe's time at Blackburn Rovers

Nyambe joined Blackburn's academy in 2011 after moving to England from Namibia. Then, in 2015, he signed his first professional contract shortly before making his debut in the EFL Cup. He would have to wait until the following campaign to make his league debut though, but from there he became a regular in the starting XI at quite a young age.

The second half of the 2016/17 campaign saw Nyambe become Blackburn's starting right-back, but unfortunately, it was a season to forget for the club as they suffered relegation from the Championship. Despite this, Nyambe earned Blackburn's 'Young Player of the Year' award that season, which put him in good stead for the upcoming campaign.

Blackburn's League One season was a huge success, as they finished 2nd in the table, behind champions Wigan Athletic, and earned automatic promotion straight back to the Championship. Nyambe made 27 league starts, mostly at right-back, but despite his side scoring 82 League One goals that season, he failed to claim a single one of them. Unfortunately, that is a theme that has continued into the present day.

In the second tier, Nyambe remained as Blackburn's starting right-back and began contributing to the attacking play more often, grabbing four assists in the 2020/21 season. While he was creating goals and getting forward more, he was still yet to score one himself, as he departed Blackburn in 2022 after failing to score a single professional goal.

Ryan Nyambe's career post-Blackburn

Following his contract's expiration, Nyambe departed Ewood Park after 11 years and joined Wigan Athletic, who were also in the Championship at the time. Unfortunately, his Wigan spell did not go to play and his goalless run resumed.

Nyambe was often deployed out of position by Shaun Maloney, as he featured at centre-back, left-back and even right-midfield throughout the 2022/23 campaign. Wigan ended the season at the bottom of the table and were relegated to League One.

The Namibian was released at the end of the season and joined third tier rivals Derby County, who were eyeing up the automatic promotion spots ahead of the 2023/24 campaign. Nyambe started the season as their first-choice right-back, but he went on to miss parts of the season through injury. Derby finished the season in the automatic promotion places and Nyambe earned his promotion medal.

Ryan Nyambe will want to break his duck next season

Nyambe's Derby contract expires in 2025, meaning he is likely to remain with the Rams for the upcoming Championship campaign. Derby will, of course, look to strengthen in the summer window, but it would make sense to keep hold of Nyambe who has proven to be a solid Championship defender in the past.

The 26-year-old will be desperate to score his first-ever professional goal after going on such a barren run, and he may well get the chance to do so if provided the opportunities at Derby next season.

On occasions throughout his career, he has been encouraged to get forward despite being a defender by trade, but he has failed to find the back of the net in his 8-year playing spell.

If he remains fit and avoids the injuries he picked up this season, the versatile Nyambe could be very useful for Derby next season as he eagerly awaits his first goal in professional football.