Abdessalam Benjelloun

Football player infobox
playername = Abdessalam Benjelloun


fullname =
nickname = Benji
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1985|1|28
height = height|ft=6|in=1
cityofbirth = Fez
countryofbirth = Morocco
currentclub = Charleroi (on loan from Hibernian)
clubnumber = 9
position = Striker
years = 2003–2006 2006– 2008–
clubs = Wydad de Fes Maghreb Fez Hibernian →Charleroi (loan)
caps(goals) = 0 53 (8) 02 (1)
nationalyears = 2004–2008
2008–
nationalteam = Morocco under–23
Morocco
nationalcaps(goals) = 06 (3)
07 (3)
pcupdate = September 23 2008
ntupdate = September 25 2008

Abdessalam Benjelloun (born 28 January 1985 in Fez, Morocco) is a Moroccan international footballer, currently playing in Belgium for Charleroi on loan from Scottish Premier League club Hibernian.

Club career

Hibernian

Benjelloun trained with Hibs for many weeks during the early part of 2006, while Hibs assessed whether to sign him from his hometown club Maghreb Fez. Hibs then had to undertake the complex process of obtaining the documentation needed to sign him. During this time, rumours grew on Hibs-related internet sites that Hibs had unearthed a major talent, so expectations were high when Benjelloun's signing was formally announced in March 2006. [ [http://www.hibernian-mad.co.uk/news/loadroll.asp?cid=ED11&id=272947 Hibs Sign Abdessalam Benjelloun] , Hibernian Mad, March 17 2006.]

He made his debut for Hibernian in the 2006 Scottish Cup semi-final loss to local rivals Hearts on April 2 2006. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_cups/4860944.stm Hibernian 0–4 Hearts] , BBC Sport, April 2 2006.] Manager Tony Mowbray was forced to play Benjelloun in that game because of injury (Chris Killen), suspension (Derek Riordan), cup transfer rules (Paul Dalglish) and the sale of Garry O'Connor.

Benjelloun demonstrated his potential in the Edinburgh derby on 22 April 2006, when he came off the bench to score the winning goal. 'Benji' became an instant hero with the Hibernian supporters, although his goal celebration caused some controversy. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/h/hibernian/4934110.stm Mowbray will chastise goalscorer] , BBC Sport, April 22 2006.] He ran wildly towards the Hearts supporters, having scored the goal at the other end of the ground. Fortunately the Hibs goalkeeper, Zibi Malkowski, managed to prevent Benji from reaching the Hearts supporters, or a major incident could have ensued.

A fellow Moroccan, Merouane Zemmama, was signed by Hibs at the start of the 2006–07 season. It was thought that this should help Benji to settle into Scottish football, and he rewarded Hibs with two goals in the 2007 Scottish League Cup Final victory against Kilmarnock. [ [http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/scottish/kilmarnock-1-hibernian-5-collins-proclaims-cup-success-at-last-440874.html Kilmarnock 1 Hibernian 5: Collins proclaims cup success at last] , "The Independent", March 19 2007.] Benjelloun was then expected to feature prominently during the 2007–08 season, but he suffered a season plagued by injuries, scoring only one goal in competitive matches. He was the subject of interest from Belgian clubs. Anderlecht were reported to be watching him [cite news
url=http://sporza.be/cm/sporza.be/voetbal/eersteklasse/Anderlecht/080607_benjelloun_anderlecht_interesse
title=Anderlecht is observing a Moroccan playing in Scotland |language=Dutch |date=2008-06-07 |publisher=sporza.be] and Westerlo had an offer rejected in July 2008. [Hardie, David. [http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/hibernianfc/Hibs-reject-Westerlo-bid-for.4320476.jp Hibs reject Westerlo bid for Benjelloun] , "Edinburgh Evening News", July 24 2008. ]

Charleroi

On August 8 2008 it was reported by the BBC that Hibs had agreed to loan Benji to Charleroi on a season long loan, with the Belgian side having the option to purchase the player outright. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/h/hibernian/7549220.stm Yantorno in as Hibs loan Benji] , BBC Sport, August 8 2008.] The deal was confirmed that day on the official site of Charleroi, with Benjelloun pictured in his new side's colours.cite web|url=http://www.sporting-charleroi.be/code/fr/hp_news_plus.asp?pk_id_news=5663 |title=Deux renforts offensifs pour le RCSC !|date=August 8 2008|language=French|publisher=Charleroi] Benji will wear the shirt number 9 with his new club.

International career

One positive note for Benji during the 2007–08 season was his selection by Morocco. He scored on his international debut against Belgium in Brussels. [ [http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/03/26/sports/EU-SPT-SOC-Belgium-Morocco.php Morocco beat Belgium 4–1 in international friendly] "International Herald Tribune", March 26 2008] He was also selected for the World Cup qualifiers at the end of the season, and he scored in the first two qualifiers against Ethiopia [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/africa/7429420.stm Morocco, Rwanda win in Group 8] , BBC Sport, May 31 2008] and Mauritania. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/africa/7441750.stm Morocco brush aside Mauritania] , BBC Sport, June 7 2008]

International goals

:"Scores and results list Morocco's goal tally first."

Notes

External links

*soccerbase|id=43666|name=Abdessalam Benjelloun