Kheireddine Zarabi
Encyclopedia
Kheireddine «Kiko» Zarabi (born July 18, 1984 in Hussein Dey
, Algiers
) is an Algeria
n football defender. He currently plays for Arouca
in the Portuguese Liga
.
and he joined NA Hussein Dey
first before leaving to join RC Kouba
two years later. He made his senior debut with RC Kouba
in 2002 and remained with the club until 2005.
In 2005, Zarabi went on trial with French
club FC Lorient
who were then playing in Ligue 2
. However, the trial was unsuccessful and he returned home and he signed with ES Sétif
, before joining CR Belouizdad
in 2006.
In 2007, Zarabi signed a two and a half year contract with Finnish
side Turun Palloseura
. On January 19, 2009, he was sold by Finnish
-side Turun Palloseura
to Belenenses, which plays in the Portuguese Liga
, and signed a contract until 2012. In August 2009,he signed a new contract with Vitória Setúbal
in the Portuguese Liga
.
On December 30, 2010, Zarabi reached a mutual agreement with Vitória Setúbal
to terminate his contract. On December 31, 2010, he signed with Liga de Honra
side Leixões.
On August 21, 2011, Zarabi signed a two year contract with Arouca
after terminating his contract with Leixões, which had one more year left on it.
, Zarabi was a regular member of the Algerian Under-23 National Team
and participated in various tournaments, most notably the 2005 Mediterranean Games
. He has yet to receive call up to the National Team
.
and NA Hussein Dey
star Abdelaziz Zarabi. His older brother Abderraouf Zarabi
is also a footballer and currently plays for French
club Nîmes Olympique
.
Hussein Dey, Algeria
Hussein Dey is a suburb of the city of Algiers in northern Algeria, named after Hussein Dey....
, Algiers
Algiers
' is the capital and largest city of Algeria. According to the 1998 census, the population of the city proper was 1,519,570 and that of the urban agglomeration was 2,135,630. In 2009, the population was about 3,500,000...
) is an Algeria
Algeria
Algeria , officially the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria , also formally referred to as the Democratic and Popular Republic of Algeria, is a country in the Maghreb region of Northwest Africa with Algiers as its capital.In terms of land area, it is the largest country in Africa and the Arab...
n football defender. He currently plays for Arouca
F.C. Arouca
Futebol Clube de Arouca is a Portuguese football club based in Arouca, Aveiro District. Founded on 25 December 1951, it currently plays in the second division, holding home games at Estádio Municipal de Arouca, with a 2,500-seat capacity.-History:...
in the Portuguese Liga
Portuguese Liga
The Primeira Liga , formerly called Primeira Divisão, currently named Liga ZON Sagres after their main sponsors, is the top professional association football division of the Portuguese football league system...
.
Club career
Zarabi started his career at age 10 in the junior ranks of IRB Ouargla. When he turned 13, his family returned to live in AlgiersAlgiers
' is the capital and largest city of Algeria. According to the 1998 census, the population of the city proper was 1,519,570 and that of the urban agglomeration was 2,135,630. In 2009, the population was about 3,500,000...
and he joined NA Hussein Dey
NA Hussein Dey
Nasr Athlétique de Hussein Dey is an Algerian football club based in Hussein Dey, Algiers. The club was founded in 1947 by the merger of three clubs from Hussein Dey: Nedjma Sport de Hussein Dey, l’Idéal Club de la Glacière and l’Espérance Sportive de Léveilley. Their home stadium is Stade Frères...
first before leaving to join RC Kouba
RC Kouba
Raed Chabab Kouba is an Algerian football club based in Kouba, a district of Algiers. It was founded in 1942. They play at the Stade Omar Benhaddad.-Performance in CAF competitions:* African Cup of Champions Clubs: 1 appearance...
two years later. He made his senior debut with RC Kouba
RC Kouba
Raed Chabab Kouba is an Algerian football club based in Kouba, a district of Algiers. It was founded in 1942. They play at the Stade Omar Benhaddad.-Performance in CAF competitions:* African Cup of Champions Clubs: 1 appearance...
in 2002 and remained with the club until 2005.
In 2005, Zarabi went on trial with French
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
club FC Lorient
FC Lorient
Football Club Lorient-Bretagne Sud is a French association football club based in Lorient. The club was founded in 1926 and currently play in Ligue 1, the top level of French football. Lorient plays its home matches at the Stade du Moustoir located within the city. The team is managed by Christian...
who were then playing in Ligue 2
Ligue 2
Ligue 2 , formerly known as Division 2, is a French professional football league. The league serves as the second division of French football and is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Professionnel , the other being Ligue 1, the country's top football division...
. However, the trial was unsuccessful and he returned home and he signed with ES Sétif
ES Sétif
Entente Sportive Sétifienne , commonly referred to as ES Sétif or ESS for short, is an Algerian professional football club based in Sétif currently playing in the Algerian Ligue Professionnelle 1...
, before joining CR Belouizdad
CR Belouizdad
Chabab Riadhi de Belouizdad is an Algerian football club based in Mohamed Belouizdad, a district of Algiers. It was founded in 1962...
in 2006.
In 2007, Zarabi signed a two and a half year contract with Finnish
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
side Turun Palloseura
Turun Palloseura
Turun Palloseura, TPS for short and nicknamed Tepsi, is a Finnish football club based in Turku. The club was founded in 1922. TPS currently play in the Veikkausliiga, the highest level of Finnish football. They play their home matches at the 9,372 seater Veritas Stadion, Turku.-History:FC TPS Turku...
. On January 19, 2009, he was sold by Finnish
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
-side Turun Palloseura
Turun Palloseura
Turun Palloseura, TPS for short and nicknamed Tepsi, is a Finnish football club based in Turku. The club was founded in 1922. TPS currently play in the Veikkausliiga, the highest level of Finnish football. They play their home matches at the 9,372 seater Veritas Stadion, Turku.-History:FC TPS Turku...
to Belenenses, which plays in the Portuguese Liga
Portuguese Liga
The Primeira Liga , formerly called Primeira Divisão, currently named Liga ZON Sagres after their main sponsors, is the top professional association football division of the Portuguese football league system...
, and signed a contract until 2012. In August 2009,he signed a new contract with Vitória Setúbal
Vitória F.C.
Vitória Futebol Clube is a Portuguese sports club from the city of Setúbal. Popularly known as Vitória de Setúbal with the motto "A Vitória será nossa" .- Domestic :*Portuguese Liga: Runners-up 1971–72...
in the Portuguese Liga
Portuguese Liga
The Primeira Liga , formerly called Primeira Divisão, currently named Liga ZON Sagres after their main sponsors, is the top professional association football division of the Portuguese football league system...
.
On December 30, 2010, Zarabi reached a mutual agreement with Vitória Setúbal
Vitória F.C.
Vitória Futebol Clube is a Portuguese sports club from the city of Setúbal. Popularly known as Vitória de Setúbal with the motto "A Vitória será nossa" .- Domestic :*Portuguese Liga: Runners-up 1971–72...
to terminate his contract. On December 31, 2010, he signed with Liga de Honra
Liga de Honra
The Liga de Honra , known for sponsorship reasons as the Liga Orangina, is the Portuguese second level football league. It was formerly called Segunda Divisão and Segunda Divisão de Honra . When the LPFP took control of the two nationwide levels, it was renamed Segunda Liga, before renaming it...
side Leixões.
On August 21, 2011, Zarabi signed a two year contract with Arouca
F.C. Arouca
Futebol Clube de Arouca is a Portuguese football club based in Arouca, Aveiro District. Founded on 25 December 1951, it currently plays in the second division, holding home games at Estádio Municipal de Arouca, with a 2,500-seat capacity.-History:...
after terminating his contract with Leixões, which had one more year left on it.
International career
During his time at RC KoubaRC Kouba
Raed Chabab Kouba is an Algerian football club based in Kouba, a district of Algiers. It was founded in 1942. They play at the Stade Omar Benhaddad.-Performance in CAF competitions:* African Cup of Champions Clubs: 1 appearance...
, Zarabi was a regular member of the Algerian Under-23 National Team
Algeria national football team
The Algeria national football team , nicknamed الأفنــاك, Les Fennecs , represents Algeria in association football and is controlled by the Fédération Algérienne de Football. Algeria's home ground is the Stade 5 Juillet 1962 in Algiers and their head coach is Vahid Halilhodžić.Algeria has qualified...
and participated in various tournaments, most notably the 2005 Mediterranean Games
2005 Mediterranean Games
The XVth Mediterranean Games Almería 2005, commonly known as the 2005 Mediterranean Games were the 15th Mediterranean Games. The Games were held in Almería, Spain over 10 days, from 24 June to 3 July 2005, where 3,214 athletes from 21 countries participated...
. He has yet to receive call up to the National Team
Algeria national football team
The Algeria national football team , nicknamed الأفنــاك, Les Fennecs , represents Algeria in association football and is controlled by the Fédération Algérienne de Football. Algeria's home ground is the Stade 5 Juillet 1962 in Algiers and their head coach is Vahid Halilhodžić.Algeria has qualified...
.
Personal
Kheireddine is the son of former Algerian internationalAlgeria national football team
The Algeria national football team , nicknamed الأفنــاك, Les Fennecs , represents Algeria in association football and is controlled by the Fédération Algérienne de Football. Algeria's home ground is the Stade 5 Juillet 1962 in Algiers and their head coach is Vahid Halilhodžić.Algeria has qualified...
and NA Hussein Dey
NA Hussein Dey
Nasr Athlétique de Hussein Dey is an Algerian football club based in Hussein Dey, Algiers. The club was founded in 1947 by the merger of three clubs from Hussein Dey: Nedjma Sport de Hussein Dey, l’Idéal Club de la Glacière and l’Espérance Sportive de Léveilley. Their home stadium is Stade Frères...
star Abdelaziz Zarabi. His older brother Abderraouf Zarabi
Abderraouf Zarabi
Abderraouf Zarabi is an Algerian international footballer. He currently plays as a defender for JS Kabylie in the Algerian Ligue Professionnelle 1...
is also a footballer and currently plays for French
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
club Nîmes Olympique
Nîmes Olympique
Nîmes Olympique is a French association football club based in Nîmes. The club was formed on 10 April 1937 and currently play in Championnat National, the third level of French football. The club's only achievement was winning Ligue 2 in 1950 and the Championnat National in 1997...
.