Wolves midfielder Prince Oniangue donated bone marrow to sick brother who could have died without it
FORGET the Brownlee brothers - Wolves ace Prince Oniangue has a tale of fraternal support that will bring a tear to your eye.
Midfielder Oniangue is one of the many new faces brought in by Walter Zenga at Molineux this summer - and the Midlands club would be hard-pressed to find a more conscientious character in their squad.
For Oniangue once donated his bone marrow to help cure his brother Tresor’s sickle cell anaemia.
It was during his stint at French outfit Rennes as an 18-year-old - he had to wait until that age to undergo the procedure.
And although he was told his footballing career was never put in jeopardy by it, it is still one of the most selfless acts someone can do.
Oniangue, 27, explained: “My brother was sick. The situation was that I needed to give my bone marrow.
“I had to do it because when he was young at home I saw the pain he was in. I said one day if I can, I’ll give. It wasn’t possible before 18. I had to wait until after 18 to do it.
“He had the problem for a long time, from when he was born. It was genetic. But me? I didn’t have it.
“I asked the club for permission and they said ‘OK, no problem’. I asked questions (to the doctors) if I could play football afterwards and they said ‘Yeah, no problem’.
“So I said, ‘OK, I’ll do this for my brother’.
“I gave it and two weeks after I got my capabilities back. He had a process of restoration and after, he was OK. No cries, no ‘argghh’, he was OK.
“Today, he’s perfect, no sickness. He's 31, works as a website designer and is very happy.”
Footballers are so often criticised for the money they earn but many regularly do such selfless acts that go unnoticed.
Yet few would get close to Oniangue’s good deed.
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And the Congolese star admits it even changed his own outlook on life - no longer sweating the small stuff, particularly in football.
Oniangue, who scored in midweek defeat at Wigan, said: “After (the operation), when I lose the ball in the pitch, some people say ‘arggh!’.
“Me, I’m quiet because I know it’s a game. When I was in hospital to give my bone I saw some people in not a good atmosphere. And I said, ‘if I lose the ball, it doesn’t matter, take risks’. That’s life.
“It helped me to be strong on the pitch.”
So what do you say to someone who has just helped cure your life-threatening illness by donating their bone marrow?
Oniangue, who faces Norwich on Saturday, answered: “My brother says thanks!
“He watches my games every time, everywhere. The Championship is not always on television in France and every time he finds a way to watch it on the internet. He’s a good relation and I’m happy.
“He hasn’t come over to watch a game yet because he is busy with his work but he will come soon.”
By his own admission, Oniangue is still getting to grips with the language here and after this interview was off to an English lesson with fellow new signings including Ivan Cavaleiro and Silvio.
He is currently staying in a hotel but has found a flat - and is good pals with Romaine Saiss after the pair played each other in France.
Oniangue is a box-to-box player who likes to press and score goals, idolising Yaya Toure - although “not now, but before”.
He has had to wait for his move to these shores after coming very close to joining West Ham two years ago.
The smiley star, who also has a sister named Grace and a half-brother called Giovan who is a professional basketball player in France, explained: “Two years ago I went to West Ham with president David Sullivan.
"But my president in France did not want to send me and I couldn’t go to West Ham.
“It was my dream to come to England and I can now say it’s real. I want to work and work with my team-mates to go with the vision of the club.
“I think it won’t be long until we’re very strong. There is some quality in this team and it will be difficult for teams to beat us.
“When everyone is no longer living in hotels and has houses, it will be good. Our ambition is to go to the Premier League as early as possible.”
Oniangue was already Prince Charming for what he did for his brother.
But he will become king of the Wolves family if he can lead them to promotion.
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