Kheireddine Zarabi
Kheireddine Zarabi | |
|---|---|
| Born | July 18, 1984 Algiers, Algeria |
| Other names | Kiko Zarabi |
| Occupation | Professional footballer |
| Years active | 2002– (retired date not specified) |
| Known for | Central defender |
Kheireddine "Kiko" Zarabi (; born 18 July 1984) is an Algerian professional footballer who specializes as a central defender.
Club career
Originating from the Hussein Dey District in Algiers, Zarabi initiated his football journey at the age of 10 with IRB Ouargla. Upon returning to the capital city at 13, he became part of NA Hussein Dey before moving to RC Kouba, where he made his professional debut in 2002 and remained for three seasons.
In May 2005, Zarabi underwent a trial period with FC Lorient, a French Ligue 2 team, but subsequently returned to Algeria to represent ES Sétif and CR Belouizdad. Towards the end of 2007, he secured a two-and-a-half-year deal with Turun Palloseura in Finland. On 19 January 2009, he transferred to Portugal, where he played for several clubs including C.F. Os Belenenses, Vitória de Setúbal, Leixões S.C., and F.C. Arouca, competing across both the Primeira Liga and the second division.
During the 2012–13 campaign at Arouca, Zarabi took part in 14 games, netting two goals as the team earned its inaugural promotion to the Primeira Liga. After a short tenure in France's Ligue 2 with Nîmes Olympique, he returned to Portugal’s second division and continued his career with União Madeira, S.C. Covilhã, and C.D. Cova da Piedade until retiring.
International career
While playing for Kouba, Zarabi was regularly selected for the Algeria under-23 national team, featuring in important competitions such as the 2005 Mediterranean Games.
Personal life
Zarabi comes from a footballing family; his father Abdelaziz was an Algerian international player. His elder brother Abderraouf also played as a defender for Hussein Dey and had a spell in Finland.