Paradou AC

Paradou Athletic Club
Company type	Football club
Industry	Sports
Predecessor	Hydra AC youth squad (founders were former members)
Founded	August 16, 1994; 32 years ago
Founder	Mahi Ali, Kabla Kamel, Kheiredine Zetchi, Hassen Zetchi
Headquarters	Algiers, Algeria
Area served	Algeria
Key people	Sofiène Hidoussi (Head Coach)
Products	Football team

Paradou Athletic Club (), commonly referred to as Paradou AC or PAC, is a football organization situated in Algiers, Algeria. Established in 1994 by former members of the Hydra AC youth squad, the team’s official colors are blue and yellow. While their designated stadium is Ahmed Fellak Stadium with a capacity near 5,000 spectators, home fixtures are primarily held at Omar Benrabah Stadium. Paradou AC competes in the Algerian Ligue Professionnelle 1.

After a ten-year hiatus, Paradou AC made its comeback to the premier division in May 2017.

Foundation and Early Development

The club originated from a collective of friends who sought to create a recreational and athletic outlet for young people, leading to the birth of Paradou Athletic Club (PAC). The choice of yellow and blue as club colors was inspired by the Swedish flag during one of their gatherings. Founding members included prominent individuals such as Mahi Ali, Kabla Kamel, along with brothers Kheiredine and Hassen Zetchi. The team’s inaugural official match took place in September 1994 at Ben Aknoun stadium, resulting in a 3–2 victory. Official recognition of the club was granted on August 16, 1994 (registration number 359).

From the outset, the founders stressed disciplined governance and foundational principles including camaraderie and mutual respect to establish a lasting sports institution. Beginning with the 1994–95 campaign, Paradou AC swiftly climbed through various league tiers, achieving promotion to Ligue 1 by 2005. Following three seasons competing in the DNA, they regained professional status by advancing to Ligue 2, cementing their standing within Algerian football.

Paradou AC has earned a reputation for nurturing players who have gone on to make significant contributions at the highest levels of Algerian football. Noteworthy alumni include Lamouri Djediat, Mokhtar Benmoussa, Hocine El Orfi, Saad Tedjar, Billel Ouali, and Hichem Nekkache.

National Achievements

Algerian Ligue Professionnelle 2
- Winners (1): 2016–17

Players

Algerian football regulations restrict clubs to a maximum of four foreign players. The roster below indicates each athlete’s primary nationality.

Current squad

As of 31 August 2025^[update]

Technical Staff

Role	Name
Head Coach	Sofiène Hidoussi
Assistant Coach	Souhaib Zarrouk
Goalkeeper Coach	Allawa Ayadhi
Fitness Trainer	Mourad Khemiri

Paradou AC/JMG "El Ankaoui" Academy

In 2007, Paradou AC established a collaboration with French coach Jean-Marc Guillou’s JMG Academy, investing approximately €600,000 over seven years to build a dedicated training center located in Tessala El Merdja, near Algiers. This facility provides accommodation and training amenities for both players and staff. The academy has achieved remarkable results, with youth teams between ages 13 and 15 consistently outperforming older opponents. Leadership of the academy is entrusted to coaches Olivier Guillou and Djamel Aïch.

Players Transferred from Paradou AC to European Clubs

Player	Pos	Club	League	Transfer fee
Template:Country data ALG Template:Namespace detect showall Hicham Boudaoui	MF	Nice	Template:Country data FRA Template:Namespace detect showall Ligue 1	€4,000,000
Template:Country data ALG Template:Namespace detect showall Youcef Atal	DF	KV Kortrijk	Template:Country data BEL Template:Namespace detect showall Belgian First Division A	€550,000
Template:Country data ALG Template:Namespace detect showall Farid El Mellali	FW	Angers	Template:Country data FRA Template:Namespace detect showall Ligue 1	Free transfer
Template:Country data ALG Template:Namespace detect showall Ramy Bensebaini	DF	Rennes	Template:Country data FRA Template:Namespace detect showall Ligue 1	€2,000,000
Template:Country data ALG Template:Namespace detect showall Adem Zorgane	MF	Charleroi	Template:Country data BEL Template:Namespace detect showall Belgian First Division A	€1,000,000
Template:Country data ALG Template:Namespace detect showall Abdelkahar Kadri	MF	Kortrijk	Template:Country data BEL Template:Namespace detect showall Belgian First Division A	€500,000
Template:Country data ALG Template:Namespace detect showall Ahmed Nadhir Benbouali	FW	Charleroi	Template:Country data BEL Template:Namespace detect showall Belgian First Division A	€750,000
Template:Country data ALG Template:Namespace detect showall Yassine Titraoui	MF	Charleroi	Template:Country data BEL Template:Namespace detect showall Belgian First Division A	€1,200,000

Paradou AC players transferred abroad

Player	Pos	Club	League	Transfer fee
Template:Country data ALG Template:Namespace detect showall Raouf Benguit	MF	Espérance ST	Template:Country data TUN Template:Namespace detect showall Ligue Professionnelle 1	$742,000

Footballers

Legend
Template:†	Players who have competed in the African Cup of Nations
GK	Goalkeeper
DF	Defender
MF	Midfielder
FW	Forward
Bold	Currently active in professional football