Algerians In Europe

[TonyStarks]

French second division side Laval, who are looking to bolster their offence, have put 22-year old striker Hassan Yebda on trial. The Auxerre striker has yet to feature for the first team and there seems to be little opportunity for him with the club. Laval are currently sitting in 18th spot in the standings and are facing relegation.

[TonyStarks]

FC Gueugnon's central defender, Madjid Bougherra, is on trial with Greek club Kallithea FC. The 23-year old had a breakout season last year with the club but has not featured as much as this year, making just 10 appearances. Kallithea FC, currently last in the Greek tables, are looking to avoid relegation by bolstering their defensive line and are hoping to have the player on loan until the end of the season. Bougherra has featured 8 times for the Algerian national team, most recently in a 0-0 tie with Gabon in October. Two other Algerian players are currently playing in the Greek top division: Bark Sehgiri (Iraklis) and Karim Mouzaoui (Appollonias).

[TonyStarks]

A number of Algerians will be joining new clubs this transfer break. Striker Rafik Zoheir Djebbour of Greek 2nd division side Ethnikos Aseteras will join top division side Atromitos FC, who are currently 8th in the Greek league. Djebbour was top scorer in the Greek 2nd division, scoring 11 goals in 15 games. The talented striker signed a 3 and a half year contract with the club. FC Nantes striker Fouad Bougerra is on the verge of signing a 6-month loan with Emirates club Dubai SC. The 24-year old striker has rarely featured for Nantes and is desperate for playing time. The player had a number of contacts, notably Algerian club ES Setif and French 2nd division side Sete. However, Dubai SC probably provided the best financial opportunity. He will join fellow Algerian Farid Kerkar at the club. Finally, another young striker will be looknig for more playing time at a smaller club. St. Etienne's Idriss Ech-Chergui has been loaned out until the end of the season to division 3 side Bayonne. The 20-year old will use the opportunity to get some regular first team action. Ech-Chergui was one of the hottest prospects in French soccer leading the reserve league in scoring 2 years ago. However, a serious injury has seriously hindered his progression.

[TonyStarks]

Olympique Marseille's young goalkeeper Rais Mbolhi-Ouhab is on trial with Scottish club Hearts, who are currently second in the standings behind Celtic. The 19-year old goalkeeper has been a starter for Marseille's reserve team and has featured a number of times for the French junior teams. Early reports from Scotland indicate that the Hearts' staff are delighted with the players abilities and are finalizing the deal with Marseille. It is believed that the player will join the club on loan and in doing so would become the second Algerian player from Olympique Marseille to join a Scottish team in less than a year, following in the path of Brahim Hemdani who joined Rangers in the summer. Mbolhi is of Algerian and Senegalese descent.

[TonyStarks]

Originally posted by TonyStarks
FC Lorient have signed 21-year old Algerian striker Youssef Sofiane to a six month contract that will see him finish off the season alongside Karim Ziani. Sofiane has more recently played for English side Coventry City, featuring 3 times in a short spell with the club. He has previously played for West Ham, Notts County, Roda JC (Holland), Lille and Auxerre (France). He is just one of many Algerian players that have passed through the club as of late. The list includes Kamel Larbi, Carl Medjani and Djamel Mesbah.

Contrary to what was previously reported, Youssef Sofiane will not be joining French club FC Lorient. The player has already played for 2 clubs this year (West Ham United and Coventry City) and rules state that a players is not allowed to play for 3 teams in the same year. He is currently on trial with FC Brussels but it is not clear to what purpose this trial will serve, as he is already ruled out from signing with them.

[TonyStarks]

Originally posted by TonyStarks
FC Gueugnon's central defender, Madjid Bougherra, is on trial with Greek club Kallithea FC. The 23-year old had a breakout season last year with the club but has not featured as much as this year, making just 10 appearances. Kallithea FC, currently last in the Greek tables, are looking to avoid relegation by bolstering their defensive line and are hoping to have the player on loan until the end of the season. Bougherra has featured 8 times for the Algerian national team, most recently in a 0-0 tie with Gabon in October. Two other Algerian players are currently playing in the Greek top division: Bark Sehgiri (Iraklis) and Karim Mouzaoui (Appollonias).

Altough he had a successful trial with Greek club Kallithea FC, Madjid Bougherra has decided against joining them. The club wanted the player on a long term deal (loan plus buy option) but Bougherra was not interested considering the team is currently last in the Greek league and will most likely get relegated. Instead, Bougherra is going on 3-day trial with an English Championship club. The player has not featured for Gueugnon as much as he would like and is desperate for more first team action.

[TonyStarks]

FC Gueugnon's defender, Madjid Bougherra, has joined English side Crewe Alexandra of the Coca Cola Championship on a 6-month loan, without an option to buy the player. Gueugnon insisted that they were not willing to sell the player. Crewe Alexandra are currently last in the tables and are looking for a quick fix in defence to avoid relegation. Standing at 1.90m and weighing 90kgs, he commands a major presence in the dence and should provide immediate help. The 23-year old Bougherra turned down an offer from Greek club Kallithea FC of the Greek top division, preferring a more elevated league. He has 8 caps with the Algerian national team.