Tijani Belaid
Encyclopedia
Tijani Belaid (born 6 September 1987) is a French-born Tunisian international
footballer who plays for APOEL as a midfielder
.
, Île-de-France
, Belaid started his career at Paris FC
, close to his birthplace. In 2004, he signed for Internazionale
's Primavera
side. The first Serie A
appearance of Belaid was in the last match of 2004–05 season, against Reggina Calcio
.
In January 2007, Belaid was loaned to PSV Eindhoven, but did not feature for the first team. In the summer of 2007, he was sent on loan to Slavia Prague. With the Czech team he scored his first goal in the UEFA Champions League
on 19 September 2007. However in October he was demoted to train with the club's 'B' team after disciplinary problems. Coach Karel Jarolim
stated:
"I think he needs to think above all about his behaviour off the pitch, I don't like his attitude when he doesn't play or when he comes on as a substitute".
A month later, Belaid was taken back to the main squad.
In January 2008, while preparing for the 2008 African Cup of Nations
with the Tunisian national team
, he was involved in a car crash, which resulted in the deaths of three people. He was kept in custody for several days, but was later cleared of any charges by the court.
Belaid finished the 2007–08 season with 15 league appearances for Slavia, in which he scored four goals. In July 2008, Slavia Prague used an option to buy him from Internazionale for undisclosed fee. Belaid signed a three-year contract. In February 2010 he was trialed at FK Mladá Boleslav
to finalize a possible loan, however the trial was unsuccessful, and he returned to Slavia Prague.
In 2011 Belaid was released by Slavia Prague, having made 49 league appearances and scored 11 goals during his permanent spell at the club. On 17 January 2011 he started a trial with English Championship
club Hull City
and was strongly linked also with their Championship rivals Cardiff City
. On 20 January 2010, it was confirmed that, subject to international clearance, Hull City
had won the race to signing him, with him penning a deal until the end of the season, with an option of two more years, should the club want him to stay. The deal was confirmed a week later on 27 January, with the news that he would be available for the squad to play Queens Park Rangers
on 29 January. Belaid made his debut on 1 February 2011 coming off the bench as a replacement for Aaron McLean
in the 2–2 draw against Leeds United
at the KC Stadium
.
On 10 May 2011, following the end of the 2010–11 season, it was confirmed by the club that Belaid had been released from Hull City along with three other players, after making only 8 appearances for the East Riding of Yorkshire club.
On 31 August 2011, Belaid signed a two years contract with Cypriot champions
and UEFA Champions League
contenders APOEL. He made his official debut on 15 October in a League
game against AEL Limassol
, coming on as a substitute early into the second half. On 19 November 2011, he scored his first goal for APOEL in a Cypriot First Division
match against Ermis Aradippou
, by scoring APOEL's second goal in a 2–0 home win.
for a training camp. He received a call from Tunisia, making his debut in 2006.
Tunisia national football team
The Tunisia national football team , nicknamed Les Aigles de Carthage , is the national team of Tunisia and is controlled by the Fédération Tunisienne de Football. They have qualified for four FIFA World Cups, the first one in 1978, but have yet to make it out of the first round...
footballer who plays for APOEL as a midfielder
Midfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
.
Club career
Born in ParisParis
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
, Île-de-France
Île-de-France (région)
Île-de-France is the wealthiest and most populated of the twenty-two administrative regions of France, composed mostly of the Paris metropolitan area....
, Belaid started his career at Paris FC
Paris FC
Paris Football Club is a French association football club based in Paris. The club was founded in 1969 and currently play in the Championnat National, the third level of French football. Paris plays its home matches at the Stade Charléty located in the 13th arrondissement of Paris...
, close to his birthplace. In 2004, he signed for Internazionale
F.C. Internazionale Milano
Football Club Internazionale Milano, often referred to as Internazionale or simply Inter, is a professional Italian football club based in Milan, Italy. Outside Italy, the club is often called Inter Milan. They are the reigning FIFA Club World champions and Coppa Italia holders.Inter have always...
's Primavera
F.C. Internazionale Milano Primavera
F.C. Internazionale Milano Primavera Team is the Under-20 team of F.C. Internazionale Milano, and plays in the Campionato Nazionale Primavera....
side. The first Serie A
Serie A
Serie A , now called Serie A TIM due to sponsorship by Telecom Italia, is a professional league competition for football clubs located at the top of the Italian football league system and has been operating for over eighty years since 1929. It had been organized by Lega Calcio until 2010, but a new...
appearance of Belaid was in the last match of 2004–05 season, against Reggina Calcio
Reggina Calcio
Reggina Calcio are an Italian association football club, the main club of the city of Reggio Calabria. Founded in 1914, they currently play in the Italian Serie B, and play their home matches at the 27,763 seater Stadio Oreste Granillo...
.
In January 2007, Belaid was loaned to PSV Eindhoven, but did not feature for the first team. In the summer of 2007, he was sent on loan to Slavia Prague. With the Czech team he scored his first goal in the UEFA Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
on 19 September 2007. However in October he was demoted to train with the club's 'B' team after disciplinary problems. Coach Karel Jarolim
Karel Jarolím
Karel Jarolím is a Czech football coach and former Czechoslovakia international footballer.-Personal life:His sons Lukáš and David are also footballers, as well his nephew Marek.- References :...
stated:
"I think he needs to think above all about his behaviour off the pitch, I don't like his attitude when he doesn't play or when he comes on as a substitute".
A month later, Belaid was taken back to the main squad.
In January 2008, while preparing for the 2008 African Cup of Nations
African Cup of Nations
The Africa Cup of Nations, also referred to as the African Cup of Nations or African Nations Cup, officially CAN , is the main international association football competition in Africa. It is sanctioned by the Confederation of African Football , and was first held in 1957. Since 1968, it has been...
with the Tunisian national team
Tunisia national football team
The Tunisia national football team , nicknamed Les Aigles de Carthage , is the national team of Tunisia and is controlled by the Fédération Tunisienne de Football. They have qualified for four FIFA World Cups, the first one in 1978, but have yet to make it out of the first round...
, he was involved in a car crash, which resulted in the deaths of three people. He was kept in custody for several days, but was later cleared of any charges by the court.
Belaid finished the 2007–08 season with 15 league appearances for Slavia, in which he scored four goals. In July 2008, Slavia Prague used an option to buy him from Internazionale for undisclosed fee. Belaid signed a three-year contract. In February 2010 he was trialed at FK Mladá Boleslav
FK Mladá Boleslav
FK Mladá Boleslav is a Czech football club from Mladá Boleslav.- Recent times :The team was promoted to Gambrinus liga for the first time in its history in 2004 and in their first top-flight season fought against relegation, eventually finishing in 14th place...
to finalize a possible loan, however the trial was unsuccessful, and he returned to Slavia Prague.
In 2011 Belaid was released by Slavia Prague, having made 49 league appearances and scored 11 goals during his permanent spell at the club. On 17 January 2011 he started a trial with English Championship
Football League Championship
The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
club Hull City
Hull City A.F.C.
Hull City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, founded in 1904. The club participates in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football...
and was strongly linked also with their Championship rivals Cardiff City
Cardiff City F.C.
Cardiff City Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Cardiff, Wales. The club competes in the English football pyramid and is currently playing in the Football League Championship. Cardiff City is the best supported football club in Wales, averaging approximately 22,500 for...
. On 20 January 2010, it was confirmed that, subject to international clearance, Hull City
Hull City A.F.C.
Hull City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, founded in 1904. The club participates in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football...
had won the race to signing him, with him penning a deal until the end of the season, with an option of two more years, should the club want him to stay. The deal was confirmed a week later on 27 January, with the news that he would be available for the squad to play Queens Park Rangers
Queens Park Rangers F.C.
Queens Park Rangers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in White City, Hammersmith and Fulham, west London. As the 2010-11 Football League Championship champions, they now play in the top tier of English football the Premier League, for the first time in 15 years...
on 29 January. Belaid made his debut on 1 February 2011 coming off the bench as a replacement for Aaron McLean
Aaron McLean
Aaron McLean is an English footballer who plays for Hull City as a striker.-Early career:Born in Hammersmith, London, McLean attended Robert Clack School in Dagenham. He has played for Leyton Orient and Aldershot Town....
in the 2–2 draw against Leeds United
Leeds United A.F.C.
Leeds United Association Football Club are an English professional association football club based in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, who play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system...
at the KC Stadium
KC Stadium
The KC Stadium, often shortened to the KC, is a multi-purpose facility in the city of Kingston upon Hull , England. Conceived as early as the late 1990s, it was completed in 2002 at a cost of approximately £44 million. It is named after the stadium's sponsors, telecommunications provider KC,...
.
On 10 May 2011, following the end of the 2010–11 season, it was confirmed by the club that Belaid had been released from Hull City along with three other players, after making only 8 appearances for the East Riding of Yorkshire club.
On 31 August 2011, Belaid signed a two years contract with Cypriot champions
2010–11 Cypriot First Division
-Personnel and kits:Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players and Managers may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.-Managerial changes:-League table:-Results:...
and UEFA Champions League
2011–12 UEFA Champions League
The 2011–12 UEFA Champions League is the 57th season of the European Cup, Europe's premier football tournament, and the 20th season in its current Champions League format. The final venue will be the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany...
contenders APOEL. He made his official debut on 15 October in a League
Cypriot First Division
The Cypriot Championship First Division is the top tier football league competition in Cyprus. As of 2007 it is sponsored by Marfin Popular Bank and is hence officially known as Marfin Laiki League .-Format:...
game against AEL Limassol
AEL Limassol
Athlitiki Enosi Lemesou , commonly known as AEL Limassol , is a Greek Cypriot multisport club based in the city of Limassol, the port of Cyprus....
, coming on as a substitute early into the second half. On 19 November 2011, he scored his first goal for APOEL in a Cypriot First Division
Cypriot First Division
The Cypriot Championship First Division is the top tier football league competition in Cyprus. As of 2007 it is sponsored by Marfin Popular Bank and is hence officially known as Marfin Laiki League .-Format:...
match against Ermis Aradippou
Ermis Aradippou
Ermis Aradippou is a Cypriot football club based in Aradippou, a settlement on the outskirts of Larnaca. Founded in 1958, it currently plays in the Cypriot First Division.-History:...
, by scoring APOEL's second goal in a 2–0 home win.
International career
Belaid was called up for the Tunisian under-17 team. In September 2005 he received his first and only call-up to France under-19France national under-19 football team
The France national under-19 football team is the national under-19 football team of France and is controlled by the French Football Federation. The team competes in the annual UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship. They were the 2010 champions of the competition having won on home soil...
for a training camp. He received a call from Tunisia, making his debut in 2006.
Honours and awards
- Coppa Italia PrimaveraCoppa Italia PrimaveraThe Coppa Italia Primavera is an Italian football competition played for by youth teams from Campionato Primavera. All players are under 20 of age. The first edition was held in the 1972-73 season....
(1): 2006 - Gambrinus LigaGambrinus LigaThe Gambrinus liga is a Czech professional league for football clubs. At the top of the Czech football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. It is contested by 16 clubs, operating a system of promotion and relegation with the Czech 2. Liga. Seasons run from August to May,...
(2): 2007–08, 2008–09