Djamel Abdoun

Djamel Abdoun
Born	(1986-02-14) February 14, 1986 Montreuil, France
Occupation	Professional footballer (former)
Years active	2003–2016
Known for	Winger for Olympiacos, Nottingham Forest, Algeria national team

Djamel Abdoun (born 14 February 1986) is a former Algerian professional football player who operated primarily as a winger.

In the summer of 2011, Abdoun joined Olympiacos on a free transfer from Kavala, signing a contract for three years after Kavala's demotion to the fourth tier. During his time with Olympiacos, he achieved a domestic double by winning both the 2011–12 Superleague Greece championship and the Greek Cup in 2012. In 2013, Abdoun secured a three-year contract with Football League Championship side Nottingham Forest.

Initially representing France at youth levels, Abdoun was part of the team that clinched the 2005 UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship and triumphed at the 2007 Toulon Tournament. In September 2009, following FIFA's updated regulations permitting nationality switches after turning 21, he opted to represent Algeria. He made his debut for Algeria in a goalless group stage encounter against Angola during the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations. Abdoun also featured for Algeria in the same tournament where they finished fourth, as well as at the 2010 World Cup held in South Africa.

Personal

Born in France to Algerian parents, Abdoun was raised in Montreuil, a suburb located near Paris. His family roots trace back to the villages of Tifrit and Biziou within Akbou, part of Algeria’s Béjaïa in the Petite Kabylie region.

Club career

Abdoun began his football journey as a youth player with Paris Saint-Germain in 2002 but was released after just one season. The following year, he transferred to Ajaccio, where over four seasons he accumulated 12 appearances and scored twice.

In January 2007, he went on loan to Manchester City, making a solitary substitute appearance during a 3–1 victory over Southampton in the FA Cup. Manchester City chose not to pursue a permanent deal, leading to Abdoun’s return to Ajaccio.

Kavala

Abdoun signed a three-year deal with Greek outfit Kavala from Nantes on 24 August 2010. In his debut season, he topped the assist charts in the Greek Super League with eight assists across 26 matches, contributed three goals, and was recognized as the league’s second-best player behind Ariel Ibagaza of Olympiacos. By May 2011, he was close to joining Panathinaikos, but by August he had begun training with Olympiacos and successfully completed their medical exams.

Olympiacos

Abdoun officially signed for Olympiacos on 31 August 2011 on a three-year contract, arriving on a free transfer following Kavala’s relegation to the fourth division. He opened his scoring account against PAOK and added another goal versus Panathinaikos, finishing his inaugural season with four goals in 29 appearances.

He scored his first goal in the UEFA Champions League during a 2–1 home defeat against Schalke 04. Abdoun converted several penalties against teams such as Aris Thessaloniki, AEK Athens, and Platanias. Additional notable goals included one assisted by Ariel Ibagaza in a 2–0 victory over PAS Giannina, a penalty during a narrow 3–2 loss against Atromitos, and a decisive free-kick that secured a 1–0 win over PAS Giannina in the Greek Cup. He also found the net in triumphs against AEK Athens (3–0) and Platanias (4–0).

Nottingham Forest

On 25 July 2013, Abdoun's acquisition was confirmed by Nottingham Forest Chairman Fawaz Al-Hasawi, who revealed the player had committed to a three-year deal.

Abdoun netted his inaugural goal for Forest via a penalty during an FA Cup Third Round encounter with West Ham United, where he executed a daring chipped spot-kick with confidence. The match concluded with a 5–0 triumph for Forest.

By 10 July 2014, Abdoun was notified that he was no longer part of Forest's plans and was encouraged to seek opportunities elsewhere. He did not make any further appearances for Forest and was subsequently loaned out to Lokeren. On 30 July 2015, his contract was ended by mutual consent.

Veria

On 20 July 2015, Abdoun received an offer from Superleague club Veria, presented by club president Theodoros Karipidis. Although initially intrigued, Abdoun declined the initial €250,000 proposal, considering it insufficient. A week later, Veria enhanced their offer, leading to an oral agreement on 28 July 2015. The signing was officially finalized on 8 August 2015.

Abdoun made his debut on 23 August 2015, providing an assist from a free kick that led to Veria's equalizer in a 1–1 home draw against PAS Giannina. On 29 August, he scored twice—including a penalty—in a match versus Panthrakikos, earning the man of the match accolade. On 4 October, he secured a late penalty that clinched a 1–0 victory over Kalloni. Abdoun departed Veria on a free transfer on 31 August 2016.

International career

Abdoun represented France at the Under-17, Under-18, and Under-20 levels, notably contributing to the Under-18 team's success at the 2007 Toulon Tournament.

Possessing dual citizenship due to his Algerian heritage, Abdoun was eligible to play for both France and Algeria. On 15 September 2009, he received his first call-up from Algeria's coach Rabah Saâdane for a qualifying match against Rwanda. He made his Algerian debut on 18 January 2010 as a substitute in the group stage of the 2010 African Cup of Nations against Angola. Abdoun was also included in Algeria's roster for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			National cup		League cup		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Ajaccio	2003–04	Ligue 1	1	0	0	0	0	0	–		1	0
	2004–05		2	0	0	0	0	0	–		2	0
	2005–06		7	2	2	0	0	0	–		9	2
	2006–07	Ligue 2	2	0	0	0	0	0	–		2	0
	Total		12	2	2	0	0	0	–		14	2
Manchester City (loan)	2006–07	Premier League	0	0	1	0	0	0	–		1	0
Sedan	2007–08	Ligue 2	33	5	5	2	1	0	–		39	7
Nantes	2008–09	Ligue 1	22	1	1	0	0	0	–		23	1
	2009–10	Ligue 2	27	2	0	0	1	0	–		28	2
	2010–11	Ligue 2	1	0	0	0	0	0	–		1	0
	Total		50	3	1	0	1	0	–		52	3
Kavala	2010–11	Super League Greece	26	3	2	0		—		—		28		3

Honours

Olympiacos

• Super League Greece titles: 2011–12, 2012–13
• Greek Cup victories: 2011–12, 2012–13

France

• UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship winner: 2005
• Toulon Tournament champion: 2007

Individual Achievements

• Recognized as Super League Greece Player of the Season: 2012–13
• Leading assist provider in Super League Greece for three consecutive seasons: 2010–11, 2011–12, and 2012–13
• Top assist provider in the Greek Football Cup during the 2011–12 campaign

See also

• Maghrebian community of Paris