{{short description|DR Congolese footballer}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2024}} {{family name hatnote|Bushiri|Kisonga|lang=Congolese}} {{Infobox football biography | name = Rocky Bushiri | image = | fullname = Rocky Bushiri Kisonga<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.efl.com/siteassets/image/201920/general-news/efl-squad-numbering-06.09.2019.pdf |title=Notification of shirt numbers: Blackpool |publisher=English Football League |page=6 |accessdate=18 October 2019}}</ref> | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1999|11|30|df=y}} | birth_place = Democratic Republic of Congo<ref name="nutmegmagazine.co.uk">https://www.nutmegmagazine.co.uk/issue-38/rocky-bushiri-hibs/</ref> | height = | position = Centre-back | currentclub = Hibernian | clubnumber = 33 | youthyears1 = 2014–2017 | youthclubs1 = K.V. Oostende | years1 = 2017–2019 | clubs1 = K.V. Oostende | caps1 = 2 | goals1 = 0 | years2 = 2018–2019 | clubs2 = → Eupen (loan) | caps2 = 23 | goals2 = 0 | years3 = 2019–2022 | clubs3 = Norwich City | caps3 = 0 | goals3 = 0 | years4 = 2019 | clubs4 = → Blackpool (loan) | caps4 = 4 | goals4 = 0 | years5 = 2020 | clubs5 = → Sint-Truiden (loan) | caps5 = 7 | goals5 = 0 | years6 = 2020–2021 | clubs6 = → Mechelen (loan) | caps6 = 6 | goals6 = 0 | years7 = 2021 | clubs7 = → Eupen (loan) | caps7 = 1 | goals7 = 0 | years8 = 2022 | clubs8 = → Hibernian (loan) | caps8 = 14 | goals8 = 0 | years9 = 2022– | clubs9 = Hibernian | caps9 = 96 | goals9 = 6 | club-update = 20 May 2026 | nationalyears1 = 2017 | nationalteam1 = Belgium U19 | nationalcaps1 = 2 | nationalgoals1 = 0 | nationalyears2 = 2018–2019 | nationalteam2 = Belgium U21 | nationalcaps2 = 7 | nationalgoals2 = 0 | nationalyears3 = 2023– | nationalteam3 = DR Congo | nationalcaps3 = 4 | nationalgoals3 = 0 | ntupdate = 01:19, 31 August 2025 (UTC) }} '''Rocky Bushiri Kisonga''' (born 30 November 1999) is a professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for {{Scottish football updater|Hibernia}} side Hibernian and the DR Congo national team.

He has previously played for K.V. Oostende and Norwich City, spending almost the entirety of his spell at Norwich on loan at other clubs.

Bushiri was born in DR Congo, his family moved to Belgium soon after.<ref name="nutmegmagazine.co.uk">https://www.nutmegmagazine.co.uk/issue-38/rocky-bushiri-hibs/</ref> He played for Belgian under-19 and under-21 teams. He switched his international allegiance to DR Congo in March 2023, and made his full international debut for them later that year.

==Club career== ===Oostende=== Bushiri joined the youth academy of K.V. Oostende in 2012 after impressing in a provincial tournament representing Walloon Brabant.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hln.be/de-krant/debutant-bushiri-18-werkt-ook-op-kvo-secretariaat~a6443fa5/|title=Debutant Bushiri (18) werkt ook op KVO-secretariaat|publisher=}}</ref> He signed his first professional contract with Oostende in June 2017, for two years.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.standaard.be/cnt/dmf20170603_02910871|title=Herhaalt KV Oostende succesverhaal Dimata? Kustboys halen weer spits bij Standard|last=(belga)|date=3 June 2017 |publisher=}}</ref> He made his professional debut in a 1–0 Belgian First Division A loss to KV Mechelen on 9 December 2017, becoming the youngest-ever debutant for Oostende.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kvo.be/nieuws/jupiler-pro-league-speeldag-18-kv-oostende-kv-mechelen-0-1|title=Jupiler Pro League - speeldag 18: KV Oostende - KV Mechelen 0 - 1|website=www.kvo.be}}</ref>

===Norwich City=== On 3 July 2019, it was announced that Bushiri would join Norwich City on a four-year deal, initially linking up with the U23 squad.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.canaries.co.uk/News/2019/july/rocky-bushiri/|title=Norwich City set to sign Belgium U21 international Rocky Bushiri |website=www.canaries.co.uk}}</ref> On 1 August 2019, Bushiri joined League One club Blackpool on a season-long loan deal.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49199868|title=Rocky Bushiri: Blackpool sign Norwich City defender on season-long loan deal|publisher=BBC Sport|date=1 August 2019|accessdate=2 August 2019}}</ref> Bushiri scored his first goal for the club in a 1–0 win against Wolverhampton Wanderers U21s in an EFL Trophy tie on 5 November 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/sport/football/blackpool-fc/blackpool-1-0-wolves-u21s-rocky-bushiri-s-stoppage-time-winner-seals-efl-trophy-qualification-1-10087305 |title=Blackpool 1-0 Wolves' U21s: Rocky Bushiri's stoppage-time winner seals EFL Trophy qualification |date=5 November 2019 |website=blackpoolgazette.co.uk |accessdate=6 November 2019}}</ref>

On 30 June 2020, Bushiri went out on loan again, this time joining Mechelen on a season-long deal.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.canaries.co.uk/News/2020/june/rocky-bushiri-moves-to-kv-mechelen-on-season-long-loan/|title=Rocky Bushiri moves to KV Mechelen on season-long loan|publisher=Norwich City F.C.|date=30 June 2020|accessdate=28 July 2020}}</ref>

On 26 January 2021, Bushiri moved to Belgium side KAS Eupen, on a loan deal until the end of the season.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=January 26, 2021|title=Rocky Bushiri moves to KAS Eupen on loan|url=https://www.canaries.co.uk/News/2021/january/rocky-bushiri-moves-to-kas-eupen-on-loan/|access-date=January 26, 2021|website=www.canaries.co.uk}}</ref>

===Hibernian=== On 10 January 2022, Bushiri joined Scottish Premiership side Hibernian on loan for the remainder of the season, with an option to buy in the summer.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Rocky Bushiri Joins Hibs From Norwich City!|url=https://www.hibernianfc.co.uk/article/rocky-bushiri-joins-from-norwich-city|access-date=2022-01-10|website=Hibernian FC|language=en-US}}</ref> His number of appearances during the loan triggered that option, and he signed a three-year contract with Hibs in June 2022.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61740160 |title=Hibernian: Rocky Bushiri signs permanent deal & Momodou Bojang joins on loan |website=BBC Sport |date=9 June 2022 |accessdate=9 June 2022}}</ref>

After he played against Morton, whilst he was supposed to be suspended for receiving two cautions in earlier ties, Morton were awarded a default 3–0 victory which led to Hibernian being knocked out of the Scottish League Cup.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/62252834|title=Hibernian out of Scottish League Cup after fielding suspended Rocky Bushiri against Morton|publisher=BBC|work=BBC Sport|date=21 July 2022|accessdate=21 July 2022}}</ref> He played regularly during the first half of the 2022–23 season, but was then unavailable for more than three months due to an ankle injury.<ref name = ankle/>

Bushiri scored his first goal for the club on 26 November 2024, scoring a 97th-minute equaliser in a 3–3 draw with Aberdeen.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/cd9nw8q0822t |title=Three stoppage-time goals as Hibs and Aberdeen draw 3-3 |website=BBC Sport |date=27 November 2024 |accessdate=27 November 2024}}</ref> That goal started a club-record run of 17 league games without defeat, with Bushiri featuring regularly as the team finished third in the Premiership.<ref name = 2025deal/>

His contract with Hibernian expired at the end of the 2024–25 season, but he signed a new three-year deal with the club in June 2025.<ref name = 2025deal>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cvg8pgkg41vo |title='Real leader' Bushiri extends Hibs stay until 2028 |website=BBC Sport |date=26 June 2025 |accessdate=27 June 2025}}</ref>

==International career== Bushiri's grandfather, Albert Kisonga, was an ambassador to Belgium.<ref name = ankle>{{cite news |url=https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/sport/football/hibs/rocky-bushiri-big-interview-derby-injury-hibs-comeback-and-congo-dr-decision-4123900 |title=Rocky Bushiri big interview: Derby injury, Hibs comeback, and Congo DR decision |newspaper=Edinburgh Evening News |first=Patrick |last=McPartlin |date=29 April 2023 |accessdate=29 April 2023}}</ref> Bushiri represented Belgium in youth internationals up to and including the under-21 level, but changed his international allegiance in March 2023 so that he could play for DR Congo.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/sport/football/hibs/hibs-defender-rocky-bushiri-makes-national-team-decision-following-belgium-under-21-caps-4056976 |title=Hibs defender Rocky Bushiri makes national team decision following Belgium Under-21 caps |first=Patrick |last=McPartlin |date=9 March 2023 |accessdate=9 March 2023 |newspaper=Edinburgh Evening News}}</ref> Bushiri was first selected by DR Congo in June 2023, for two Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/articles/cqv0552p81vo |title=Bushiri earns Congo call up |website=BBC Sport |date=29 May 2023 |accessdate=29 May 2023}}</ref> He made his full international debut in September 2023, playing in a friendly against South Africa.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/articles/cd1zl80x039o |title=Bushiri's Congo DR debut ends in defeat |website=BBC Sport |date=12 September 2023 |accessdate=12 September 2023}}</ref>

Bushiri was selected in the Congolese squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but was forced to withdraw after suffering an achilles tendon injury during the last match of the 2025&ndash;26 season.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/articles/cgkp8de42gmo |title=Hibs: Rocky Bushiri to miss World Cup |website=BBC Sport |date=20 May 2026 |accessdate=20 May 2026}}</ref>

==Career statistics== {{updated|match played on 28 August 2025}}<ref name="Soccerway">{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/rocky-bushiri/489027/|title=Belgium - R. Bushiri - Profile with news, career statistics and history - Soccerway|website=int.soccerway.com|accessdate=30 April 2023}}</ref>

{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition |- !rowspan="2"|Club !rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|National Cup{{Efn|Includes Belgian Cup, Scottish Cup}} !colspan="2"|League Cup{{Efn|Includes EFL Cup, Scottish League Cup}} ! colspan="2" |Europe ! colspan="2" |Other !colspan="2"|Total |- !Division!!Apps!!Goals !Apps!!Goals !Apps!!Goals !Apps !Goals !Apps!!Goals !Apps!!Goals |- |KV Oostende |2017–18<ref name="SW">{{soccerway|rocky-bushiri/489027|accessdate=23 October 2020}}</ref> |Belgian First Division A |2||0||0||0||colspan="2"|— |6{{Efn|Appearances in UEFA Europa League|name=UEL}} |0||0||0||8||0 |- |Eupen (loan) |2018–19<ref name="SW"/> |Belgian First Division A |23||0||2||1||colspan="2"|— |8{{Efn|name=UEL}} |0||0||0||33||1 |- |rowspan="4"|Norwich City |2019–20<ref name="sb1920">{{soccerbase season|105718|2019|accessdate=23 October 2020}}</ref> |Premier League |0||0||0||0||0||0 | colspan="2" |—|| colspan="2" |—||0||0 |- |2020–21<ref name="sb2021">{{soccerbase season|105718|2020|accessdate=7 January 2022}}</ref> |Championship |0||0||0||0||0||0 | colspan="2" |—|| colspan="2" |—||0||0 |- |2021–22<ref name="sb2122">{{soccerbase season|105718|2021|accessdate=7 January 2022}}</ref> |Premier League |0||0||0||0||0||0 | colspan="2" |—|| colspan="2" |—||0||0 |- !colspan="2"|Total !0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0 !0 !0!!0!!0!!0!!0 |- |Blackpool (loan) |2019–20<ref name="sb1920"/> |League One |4||0||0||0||1||0 | colspan="2" |—||2{{Efn|Appearances in EFL Trophy|name=EFLT}}||1||7||1 |- |Sint-Truiden (loan) |2019–20<ref name="sb1920" /> |Belgian First Division A |7||0||0||0||colspan="2"|— | colspan="2" |—|| colspan="2" |—||7||0 |- |Mechelen (loan) |2020–21<ref name="sb2021" /> |Belgian First Division A |6||0||0||0||colspan="2"|— | colspan="2" |—|| colspan="2" |—||6||0 |- |Eupen (loan) |2020–21<ref name="SW"/> |Belgian First Division A |1||0||2||1||colspan="2"|— | colspan="2" |—|| colspan="2" |—||3||1 |- |Hibernian (loan) |2021–22<ref name="sb2122" /> |Scottish Premiership |14||0||1||0||colspan="2"|— | colspan="2" |—|| colspan="2" |—||15||0 |- |rowspan="5"|Hibernian |2022–23<ref name="sb2223">{{soccerbase season|105718|2022|accessdate=11 July 2022}}</ref> |Scottish Premiership |15||0||1||0||4||0 | colspan="2" |—|| colspan="2" |—||20||0 |- |2023–24<ref name="sb2324">{{soccerbase season|105718|2023|accessdate=13 August 2023}}</ref> |Scottish Premiership |26||2||1||0||2||0 |5{{Efn|Appearances in UEFA Europa Conference League}} |0||0||0||34||2 |- |2024–25<ref name="sb2425">{{soccerbase season|105718|2024|accessdate=14 August 2025}}</ref> |Scottish Premiership |28||3||3||1||4||0 |0 |0||0||0||35||4 |- |2025–26<ref name="sb2526">{{soccerbase season|105718|2025|accessdate=14 August 2025}}</ref> |Scottish Premiership |2||1||0||0||0||0 |6{{efn|Two appearances and one goal in UEFA Europa League; four appearances and one goal in UEFA Conference League}} |2||0||0||8||3 |- !colspan="2"|Total !71!!6!!5!!1!!10!!0 !11 !2!!0!!0!!97!!9 |- !colspan="3"|Career total !128!!6!!10!!3!!11!!0 !25 !2!!2!!1!!176!!12 |} {{reflist|group=lower-alpha}}

=== International === {{updated|match played 8 June 2025}}<ref>{{Cite web |last=Strack-Zimmermann |first=Benjamin |title=Rocky Bushiri (Player) |url=https://www.national-football-teams.com/player/92227/Rocky_Bushiri.html |access-date=2025-08-31 |website=www.national-football-teams.com |language=en}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |+ Appearances and goals by national team and year |- !National team!!Year!!Apps!!Goals |- | rowspan="3" |DR Congo |2023||1||0 |- |2024||1||0 |- |2025||2||0 |- ! colspan="2" |Total!!4!!0 |}

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== * {{Soccerway}} * [https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/clubs/players/250111124--rocky-bushiri/ UEFA Europa League Profile] * {{RBFA player|PH_6819}}

{{Hibernian F.C. squad}} {{Navboxes | title = DR Congo squads | bg = #007FFF | fg = #F7D618 | bordercolor = #CE1021 | list1 = {{DR Congo squad 2023 Africa Cup of Nations}} {{DR Congo squad 2025 Africa Cup of Nations}} }}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Bushiri, Rocky}} Category:1999 births Category:Living people Category:Sportspeople from Duffel Category:Footballers from Antwerp Province Category:Democratic Republic of the Congo men's footballers Category:Democratic Republic of the Congo men's international footballers Category:Belgian men's footballers Category:Belgium men's under-21 international footballers Category:Belgium men's youth international footballers Category:Belgian people of Democratic Republic of the Congo descent Category:Sportspeople of Democratic Republic of the Congo descent Category:Norwich City F.C. players Category:KV Oostende players Category:KAS Eupen players Category:Blackpool F.C. players Category:Belgian Pro League players Category:Men's association football defenders Category:Belgian expatriate men's footballers Category:Expatriate men's footballers in England Category:Belgian expatriate sportspeople in England Category:Black Belgian sportspeople Category:21st-century Belgian sportsmen Category:Hibernian F.C. players Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Scotland Category:Scottish Professional Football League players Category:2023 Africa Cup of Nations players Category:2025 Africa Cup of Nations players Category:English Football League players Category:KV Mechelen players Category:Sint-Truidense VV players Category:21st-century Democratic Republic of the Congo sportsmen