Karim Soltani
Encyclopedia
Karim Soltani is a French
–born Algeria
n footballer currently playing for Aris Thessaloniki
. He primarily plays as a winger, but can also play as a striker.
. In 2000, at age 15, he joined the junior ranks of local powerhouse Stade Brest. He only remained with the club for two years before being spotted by scouts for Le Havre AC
.
, the second highest division in the Netherlands
. In his first season, he made 19 appearances, scoring 3 goals for the club. He would build on those numbers in his second season, making 30 appearances and scoring 7 goals, and leading the club to promotion to the Eredivisie
. In the 2007–08 season, Soltani scored 3 goals in 28 appearances for the club. On March 30, 2008, it was reported that Soltani was going to leave VVV-Venlo at the end of his contract and return to France
to be closer to his family. However, he decided to remain in the Netherlands and instead joined ADO Den Haag
at the start of the 2008–09 season.
outfit ADO Den Haag
. He debuted for the club in an away 2–5 triumph against Sparta Rotterdam
in Het Kasteel
in the opening day of the 2008–09 season. He netted his first goal in another away triumph of ADO Den Haag
against NAC Breda
that ended 0–4. At the end of the season he totalled 6 goals in 27 league matches played. He also featured in 3 KNVB Cup
games scoring 1 goal. In his second season for ADO Den Haag
Soltani totalled 4 goals in 28 league games, plus 1 match in the KNVB Cup
.
, Nantes and Lens
but he decided to sign for Iraklis as the club's offer was considered by Soltani to be the best both financially and athleticly. Soltani debuted for Iraklis in the opening day of the 2010–11 season
. It was a match against Greek giants Olympiacos. Soltani entered the match as a substitute in the 62nd minute of the match. At that time Olympiacos had the lead by 0–1. Soltani was an integral part of Iraklis' effort to win the game. In the 80th minute he won a penalty, that Bogdan Mara
converted into a goal and in the 87th minute he handed an assist to his teammate Vellios
to seal Iraklis' 2–1 victory. In the second match of the season against Atromitos in Peristeri Stadium
he, again, came in as a substitute in the 67th minute. The match ended 1–1 with Soltani scoring his first goal for the club in the 89th minute helping iraklis to an away draw. Also he netted his second goal and gave Iraklis Thessaloniki the lead at 6th match day at home draw 1–1 against Panserraikos.
, Soltani is also eligible to represent Algeria
in international competition and has expressed his interest to play for Algeria
. According to El Watan, Algerian head coach Rabah Saâdane
was keeping an eye on Soltani for the 2010 African Cup of Nations
.
, Soltani is originally from the village of Berrich in the Oum El Bouaghi Province
in Algeria
.
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
–born Algeria
Algeria
Algeria , officially the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria , also formally referred to as the Democratic and Popular Republic of Algeria, is a country in the Maghreb region of Northwest Africa with Algiers as its capital.In terms of land area, it is the largest country in Africa and the Arab...
n footballer currently playing for Aris Thessaloniki
Aris Thessaloniki F.C.
Aris Football Club , also known as God of war and the Yellows, is a Greek football club based in the city of Thessaloniki, Macedonia. Formed in 1914, the club was a founding member of Macedonian Football Clubs Association as well as the Hellenic Football Federation, they currently compete in...
. He primarily plays as a winger, but can also play as a striker.
Career
Soltani began his career at age 11 in a small club in BrestBrest, France
Brest is a city in the Finistère department in Brittany in northwestern France. Located in a sheltered position not far from the western tip of the Breton peninsula, and the western extremity of metropolitan France, Brest is an important harbour and the second French military port after Toulon...
. In 2000, at age 15, he joined the junior ranks of local powerhouse Stade Brest. He only remained with the club for two years before being spotted by scouts for Le Havre AC
Le Havre AC
Le Havre Athletic Club Football Association is a French association football club based in Le Havre. The club was founded originally as an athletics and rugby club in 1872, thus making it the oldest association football and rugby club registered in France...
.
Le Havre AC
In 2002, at age 17, Soltani signed a two-year amateur contract with Le Havre's junior team. At the end of his contract, he was given a one year extension to play with the first team but he failed to make any appearances for the club.VVV-Venlo
In the summer of 2005, Soltani signed with VVV-Venlo, who were then playing in the Eerste DivisieEerste Divisie
The Eerste Divisie is the second-highest division of football in the Netherlands. It is linked with the top-level Eredivisie via a promotion/relegation system. It is also known as the Jupiler League due to sponsorship, which is the same name as the top league in Belgium...
, the second highest division in the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
. In his first season, he made 19 appearances, scoring 3 goals for the club. He would build on those numbers in his second season, making 30 appearances and scoring 7 goals, and leading the club to promotion to the Eredivisie
Eredivisie
The Eredivisie is the highest football league in the Netherlands. The league was founded in 1956 two years after the start of professional football in the Netherlands. It is currently ranked the ninth best league in Europe by UEFA....
. In the 2007–08 season, Soltani scored 3 goals in 28 appearances for the club. On March 30, 2008, it was reported that Soltani was going to leave VVV-Venlo at the end of his contract and return to France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
to be closer to his family. However, he decided to remain in the Netherlands and instead joined ADO Den Haag
ADO Den Haag
Alles Door Oefening Den Haag , commonly known by the abbreviated name ADO Den Haag , is a Dutch football club from the city of The Hague. The club was for a time known as FC Den Haag , with ADO representing the amateur branch of the club...
at the start of the 2008–09 season.
ADO Den Haag
Although it was expected Soltani to return to France, he chose to sign for EredivisieEredivisie
The Eredivisie is the highest football league in the Netherlands. The league was founded in 1956 two years after the start of professional football in the Netherlands. It is currently ranked the ninth best league in Europe by UEFA....
outfit ADO Den Haag
ADO Den Haag
Alles Door Oefening Den Haag , commonly known by the abbreviated name ADO Den Haag , is a Dutch football club from the city of The Hague. The club was for a time known as FC Den Haag , with ADO representing the amateur branch of the club...
. He debuted for the club in an away 2–5 triumph against Sparta Rotterdam
Sparta Rotterdam
Sparta Rotterdam is the oldest professional football team in the Netherlands, established on April 1, 1888. Sparta is one of three professional football clubs from Rotterdam, the others being Excelsior and Feyenoord , the latter playing in the Eredivisie.-History:Sparta was first founded in 1887....
in Het Kasteel
Sparta Stadion Het Kasteel
Sparta-Stadion Het Kasteel is a football stadium in Rotterdam, Netherlands. It is the home ground of Sparta Rotterdam. It has a capacity of 11,026.-History and layout:...
in the opening day of the 2008–09 season. He netted his first goal in another away triumph of ADO Den Haag
ADO Den Haag
Alles Door Oefening Den Haag , commonly known by the abbreviated name ADO Den Haag , is a Dutch football club from the city of The Hague. The club was for a time known as FC Den Haag , with ADO representing the amateur branch of the club...
against NAC Breda
NAC Breda
NAC Breda , simply often known as NAC, is a Dutch professional football club, based in Breda, Netherlands. NAC Breda play in the Rat Verlegh Stadium, named after their most important player, Antoon 'Rat' Verlegh. They play in the Dutch Eredivisie and are known by the fierce and fanatic support of...
that ended 0–4. At the end of the season he totalled 6 goals in 27 league matches played. He also featured in 3 KNVB Cup
KNVB Cup
The KNVB Cup is a competition in the Netherlands organized by the Royal Dutch Football Association since 1899. It was based on the format of the English FA Cup. Outside of the Netherlands, it is often referred to as the Dutch Cup...
games scoring 1 goal. In his second season for ADO Den Haag
ADO Den Haag
Alles Door Oefening Den Haag , commonly known by the abbreviated name ADO Den Haag , is a Dutch football club from the city of The Hague. The club was for a time known as FC Den Haag , with ADO representing the amateur branch of the club...
Soltani totalled 4 goals in 28 league games, plus 1 match in the KNVB Cup
KNVB Cup
The KNVB Cup is a competition in the Netherlands organized by the Royal Dutch Football Association since 1899. It was based on the format of the English FA Cup. Outside of the Netherlands, it is often referred to as the Dutch Cup...
.
Iraklis Thessaloniki
On 23 July 2010 he signed an one year contract with Iraklis Thessaloniki. He had contract offers from BrestStade Brestois 29
Stade Brestois 29 is a French football club based in Brest. The club was founded in 1903 under the name Armoricaine de Brest and adopted its current name in 1950...
, Nantes and Lens
RC Lens
Racing Club de Lens is a French association football club based in the northern city of Lens in the Pas-de-Calais department. Its nickname, sang et or , comes from its traditional colours of red and gold. Their primary rivals are their northern neighbors Lille OSC, whom they contest the Derby du...
but he decided to sign for Iraklis as the club's offer was considered by Soltani to be the best both financially and athleticly. Soltani debuted for Iraklis in the opening day of the 2010–11 season
2010–11 Super League Greece
The 2010–11 Superleague Greece was the 52nd season of the highest football league of Greece and the fifth under the name Superleague. The league consisted of 16 teams, the 13 best teams of the 2009–10 season and three teams that had been promoted from the 2009–10 Beta Ethniki.The season began on 27...
. It was a match against Greek giants Olympiacos. Soltani entered the match as a substitute in the 62nd minute of the match. At that time Olympiacos had the lead by 0–1. Soltani was an integral part of Iraklis' effort to win the game. In the 80th minute he won a penalty, that Bogdan Mara
Bogdan Mara
Ion Bogdan Mara is a Romanian footballer who is playing for Greek club Skoda Xanthi.-Inter Sibiu:Mara made his first steps in professional football in Sibiu, at Inter, where he played for two years...
converted into a goal and in the 87th minute he handed an assist to his teammate Vellios
Apostolos Vellios
Apostolos Vellios is a Greek footballer who plays for English club Everton and the Greek U-21 national team. He has previously played in Greece for Iraklis.-Iraklis:...
to seal Iraklis' 2–1 victory. In the second match of the season against Atromitos in Peristeri Stadium
Peristeri Stadium
Peristeri Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Peristeri, a western district of Athens, in Greece.It is currently used mostly for football matches and is the home stadium of Atromitos....
he, again, came in as a substitute in the 67th minute. The match ended 1–1 with Soltani scoring his first goal for the club in the 89th minute helping iraklis to an away draw. Also he netted his second goal and gave Iraklis Thessaloniki the lead at 6th match day at home draw 1–1 against Panserraikos.
Aris F.C.
In summer of 2011, Soltani joined Aris, getting number 7. He made excellent appearances in friendly matches, also scoring at friendly against Peniarol. In 1st match for Superleague, Soltani hadn't performed very good. And in 2nd match, against Atromitos, in Kleathis Vikelidis, Soltani sent off in 45' minute. The whole fans was reviled him. He suspended for 3 matches.International career
Born in FranceFrance
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, Soltani is also eligible to represent Algeria
Algeria national football team
The Algeria national football team , nicknamed الأفنــاك, Les Fennecs , represents Algeria in association football and is controlled by the Fédération Algérienne de Football. Algeria's home ground is the Stade 5 Juillet 1962 in Algiers and their head coach is Vahid Halilhodžić.Algeria has qualified...
in international competition and has expressed his interest to play for Algeria
Algeria national football team
The Algeria national football team , nicknamed الأفنــاك, Les Fennecs , represents Algeria in association football and is controlled by the Fédération Algérienne de Football. Algeria's home ground is the Stade 5 Juillet 1962 in Algiers and their head coach is Vahid Halilhodžić.Algeria has qualified...
. According to El Watan, Algerian head coach Rabah Saâdane
Rabah Saadane
Rabah Saâdane is a retired Algerian professional football player whose playing career was abruptly interrupted at the age of 27 by a car accident...
was keeping an eye on Soltani for the 2010 African Cup of Nations
2010 African Cup of Nations
The 2010 Africa Cup of Nations, also known as the Orange Africa Cup of Nations for sponsorship reasons, was the 27th Africa Cup of Nations, the biennial football championship of Africa...
.
Personal
Although born in FranceFrance
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, Soltani is originally from the village of Berrich in the Oum El Bouaghi Province
Oum El Bouaghi Province
Oum El Bouaghi or Oum el-Bouaghi is a province of Algeria. The capital is Oum el-Bouaghi, which was named Can Robert , Sidi R'Ghis a few years later, and Oum El Bouaghi before independence....
in Algeria
Algeria
Algeria , officially the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria , also formally referred to as the Democratic and Popular Republic of Algeria, is a country in the Maghreb region of Northwest Africa with Algiers as its capital.In terms of land area, it is the largest country in Africa and the Arab...
.