Former Liverpool player faces jail after impersonating Chelsea star

A former Liverpool player faces a lengthy jail sentence after living a champagne lifestyle by impersonating Chelsea winger Gael Kakuta.
Medi Abalimba masqueraded as Chelsea star Kakuta, lying and cheating his way through £140,000 worth of goods by tricking shop owners, hotel staff, nightclub owners and chauffeurs.
According to a report in the Liverpool Echo, the Reds reject used a fake American Express card to bluff his way into living a champagne lifestyle after his career stalled.
The Congo-born midfielder was on the books at Crystal Palace and Fulham before joining Southend United, where he was paid a whopping £1,000-per-week despite being just 16 years old.
Abalimba spent time with both Manchester United and Manchester City on trial before joining Liverpool whilst Rafa Benitez was in charge at Anfield.
Abalimba was tipped to break through into the Liverpool first team, but, after a disappointing spell in the Reds reserve side, his career tailed off and he joined Derby County in 2009.
However, the 25-year-old’s love of living the high life didn’t diminish and, as of this year, could be seen enjoying VIP treatment at hotels, five-star breaks  and running up extortionate bills at swanky restaurants and bars before exiting without paying.
He was finally arrested after attempting to buy over £20,000 worth of clothing from Selfridges and now faces a lengthy jail term on charges of credit card fraud, making off without payment and driving without insurance and without a licence.
According to the report, Abalimba’s offences relate to approximately £53,000 of goods, whilst he has asked for other charges – totalling around £88,000 – to be taken into consideration.
Southwark Crown Court heard that the failed footballer was trying to impress friends in a Soho burlesque club, getting into a “buying competition” with other residents of the establishment despite already being subject to a suspended sentence after clocking a £26,000 bar tab in a West End club and then leaving without paying.
Judge Robert Atherton said Abalimba, whose last legitimate pay cheque was £300-per-week at Farnborough United, was “inevitably going to attract a substantial prison sentence”.
Credit: eurosport