Adlène Guedioura
Adlène Guedioura | |
|---|---|
| Born | November 12, 1985 La Roche-sur-Yon, France |
| Occupation | Professional footballer (retired) |
| Years active | 2004–2024 |
| Known for | Midfielder for various clubs in France, Belgium, England, Qatar; Algeria national team player |
Adlène Guedioura (; born 12 November 1985) is a retired professional football player who operated primarily as a midfielder.
Throughout his club career, Guedioura featured for several teams across different countries. In France, he played for Sedan, Noisy-le-Sec, L'Entente SSG, and Créteil. His Belgian tenure included stints at K.V. Kortrijk and Charleroi. In England, he represented Wolverhampton Wanderers, Nottingham Forest, Crystal Palace, Watford, Middlesbrough, and Sheffield United. Additionally, he competed for Al-Gharafa in Qatar.
Though born in France, Guedioura chose to play internationally for Algeria, the country of his father's origin, accumulating 63 international appearances.
Guedioura gained recognition for his strong long-distance shooting ability. Notably, during the 2011–12 season, he earned "Goal of the Season" honors from both Nottingham Forest and Wolverhampton Wanderers—a rare achievement believed to be the first instance of a player receiving this distinction for two separate clubs within the same campaign.
Early life
Born in La Roche-sur-Yon, France, Guedioura is the son of an Algerian mother who played for the Algerian Women’s Basketball team and Nacer Guedioura, a former Algerian international striker.
Early career
Guedioura started his football journey at amateur level with Racing Paris competing in the French fifth division. His performances caught the eye of Ligue 2 side Sedan, which he joined in 2004, making 15 appearances and scoring once.
In 2006, he transferred to third-division club L'Entente SSG, where he featured in 21 matches and netted three goals. The following year, he signed with another third-tier outfit, Créteil, scoring six goals across 24 games.
Belgium
During the summer of 2008, Guedioura secured a two-year contract with Belgian top-flight club Kortrijk, appearing ten times. After half a season, he moved to fellow Belgian Pro League side Charleroi in January 2009 on an 18-month deal. As team captain, he played 25 matches and scored once before joining English Premier League club Wolverhampton Wanderers on loan in January 2010.
Wolverhampton Wanderers
Within a day of signing for Wolves, Guedioura made his debut as a substitute during a goalless draw against Liverpool. He quickly established himself as a regular starter and contributed to the club’s successful fight against relegation. His first start came on 10 February 2010 in a 1–0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur, and he scored his inaugural goal for Wolves in their final match of the season against Sunderland. Subsequently, he secured a three-year contract with Wolves for an undisclosed fee reported to be around £2 million.
On 26 September 2010, Guedioura sustained a fractured tibia following a challenge from Steve Sidwell of Aston Villa. After six months sidelined, he returned on 30 March by scoring from distance in a reserves fixture versus Blackpool. He rejoined the first team on 9 April against Everton, playing seventy-five minutes. On 8 May, he scored his first goal of that season during a 3–1 triumph over local rivals West Bromwich Albion.
Nottingham Forest
On 30 January 2012, Guedioura was loaned to Championship club Nottingham Forest for the remainder of the season. He made his first appearance the following day in a 0–2 defeat against Burnley. Forest's manager Steve Cotterill commended Guedioura for his dedication and passion, while Sky Sports highlighted him as a "fan favourite" due to his relentless playing style. His sole goal of the 2011–12 campaign came from a remarkable 35-yard shot during a 7–3 victory over Leeds United, which earned him Nottingham Forest's Goal of the Season accolade.
Guedioura secured a permanent move to Nottingham Forest on 23 July 2012 for an undisclosed sum, reportedly around £1 million, agreeing to a three-year contract. He opted to wear the number 7 jersey. Early in the season, he scored the decisive goal in a 1–0 win against Bristol City. On 10 November, he found the net to level the score in a 2–2 draw with Leicester City, and on 24 November, he produced a signature long-range strike against his former club Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Crystal Palace
Guedioura transferred to Premier League outfit Crystal Palace on 3 September 2013, signing a three-year contract for an undisclosed fee. He made his debut on 14 September 2013 as a substitute in the 56th minute for José Campaña during a fixture against reigning champions Manchester United.
Watford
On 26 November 2014, Guedioura joined Watford on loan until 1 January 2015, marking his time there with two goals against Cardiff City on 28 December 2014.
After returning to Crystal Palace in January 2015, he was promptly utilized by new manager Alan Pardew, coming on at halftime in a 2–1 victory over Tottenham. Pardew described Guedioura as a "maverick" whose contributions were vital in the club’s battle against relegation.
Guedioura rejoined Watford on an emergency loan deal on 27 February 2015. Following two productive loan spells during the 2014–15 season, Watford completed his permanent signing on 1 September 2015, offering him a three-year contract.
Middlesbrough
On transfer deadline day, 31 January 2017, Guedioura agreed to a two-and-a-half-year deal with Premier League side Middlesbrough for an undisclosed fee.
Return to Nottingham Forest
Guedioura returned to Nottingham Forest on 31 January 2018, signing until the end of the 2020–21 season. This reunion saw him link up once again with former Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka. The transfer was completed on a free after Guedioura and Middlesbrough mutually agreed to terminate his contract. He made his comeback appearance on 10 February in a 2–0 loss at home to Hull City, being substituted off in the 77th minute.
Sheffield United
On 13 September 2021, Guedioura penned a one-year contract with EFL Championship club Sheffield United. His stay was cut short when both parties agreed to terminate his contract by mutual consent on 1 February 2022.
Burton Albion
Following an unsuccessful transfer attempt to MC Oran in February 2022, Guedioura signed a short-term deal with EFL League One side Burton Albion until the conclusion of the 2021–22 season. He left the club by mutual agreement on 11 April 2022, citing difficulties stemming from Algeria’s failure to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
CR Belouizdad
On 8 September 2023, Guedioura finalized his contract with CR Belouizdad.
International career
Guedioura received his initial call-up to the Algerian national team as part of the preliminary roster for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. He made his international debut on 28 May 2010 during a 0–3 defeat against the Republic of Ireland and secured a spot in the final World Cup squad. Throughout the tournament, he participated as a substitute in all three group stage matches facing Slovenia, England, and the United States, with Algeria ultimately finishing at the bottom of their group.
On 3 September 2010, Guedioura netted his first goal for Algeria, an equalizing strike in a 1–1 draw versus Tanzania during a qualifier for the 2012 African Cup of Nations. Despite Algeria failing to qualify for that edition, Guedioura was included in the squads that reached the 2013, 2017, and 2019 tournaments. He was part of the victorious team in 2019 and earned recognition by being named in the tournament's 'team of the competition'.
Personal life
Guedioura is the son of former Algerian international striker Nacer Guedioura. His younger sibling Nabil featured for Crystal Palace's U21 squad and competed at amateur levels in France. Guedioura practices the Muslim faith.
Tragically, on 14 January 2024, his brother Arslane, who played for Moulon Bourges, passed away in a car accident along with teammate Axel Salhi; Arslane was 26 years old.
Club
| Club | Season | League | National cup | League cup | Continental | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Noisy-le-Sec | 2005–06 | CFA | 15 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 15 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| L'Entente SSG | 2006–07 | Championnat National | 33 | 3 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 33 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Créteil | 2007–08 | Championnat National | 24 | 6 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 24 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Kortrijk | 2008–09 | Belgian Pro League | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 10 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Charleroi | 2008–09 | Belgian Pro League | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 12 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2009–10 | 13 | 0 | 2 | 1 | — | — | 15 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | 25 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 27 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wolverhampton Wanderers | 2009–10 | Premier League | 14 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 14 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2010–11 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | 12 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2011–12 | 10 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | — | 13 | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | 34 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 39 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nottingham Forest | 2011–12 | Championship | 19 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 19!!1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2012-13 | 35 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 36 | 3 | - | 2013-14 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 6 | 0 | - | Total | 59 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 61 | 4 | - | Crystal Palace | 2013-14 | Premier League | 8 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 9 | 0 | - | 2014-15 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | 10 | 0 | - | Total | 15 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 19 | 0 | - | Watford | 2014-15 | Championship | 17 | 3 | 0 | 0 | — | 17 | 3 | |||||||||
| 2015-16 | Premier League | 18 | 0 | 5 | 1 | — | 23 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2016-17 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| colspan = "2" Total !38 | 3 | 5 | 1 | ! ! ! !45 | 4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Middlesbrough | 2017-18 Middlesbrough F.C. season | Championship | 6 | |- | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 324 | 23 | 12 | 4 | 10 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 355 | 28 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
This comprehensive table underscores Guedioura's extensive experience across several competitive leagues, including top-tier divisions such as the Premier League and Championship, as well as international competitions like the Belgian Pro League and Qatar Stars League, reflecting a substantial number of appearances and goals throughout his club career.
International Career
| Algeria | ||
| Year | Appearances | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 7 | 1 |
| 2011 | 2 | 0 |
| 2012 | 8 | 0 |
| 2013 | 10 | 1 |
| 2014 | 3 | 0 |
| 2015 | 2 | 0 |
| 2016 | 2 | 0 |
| 2017 | 6 | 0 |
| 2018 | 1 | 0 |
| 2019 | 14 | 0 |
| 2020 | 3 | 0 |
| Total | 58 | 2 |
- Note: Algeria’s score is listed first in the results.
| Goal Number | Date | Location | Opponent | Score at Time | Final Score | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 3 September 2010 | Stade Mustapha Tchaker, Blida, Algeria | Template:Fb | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualification |
| 2. | 14 August 2013 | Stade Mustapha Tchaker, Blida, Algeria | Template:Fb | 1–0 | 2–2 | Friendly |
Club Level
Watford
- EFL Championship runner-up: 2014–15 Football League Championship
International Level
Algeria
- Winner of the Africa Cup of Nations: 2019 Africa Cup of Nations
Personal Accolades
- Nottingham Forest Goal of the Season: 2011–12
- Wolverhampton Wanderers Goal of the Season: 2011–12
- Watford Goal of the Season: 2015–16 (vs Arsenal in the 2015–16 FA Cup)
- Named in Africa Cup of Nations Team of the Tournament: 2019 Africa Cup of Nations#CAF AFCON Team of the Tournament