Karim Rekik (Arabic: كريم رقيق; born 2 December 1994) is a Dutch professional footballer who plays as a defender for UAE Pro League club Al-Jazira.

Karim Rekik
Rekik in 2019
Personal information
Full name Karim Rekik[1]
Date of birth (1994-12-02) 2 December 1994 (age 30)[1]
Place of birth The Hague, Netherlands
Height 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in)[2]
Position(s) Centre-back, left-back
Team information
Current team
Al-Jazira
Number 4
Youth career
1999–2002 Scheveningen
2002–2011 Feyenoord
2011–2012 Manchester City
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2011–2015 Manchester City 1 (0)
2012Portsmouth (loan) 8 (0)
2013Blackburn Rovers (loan) 5 (0)
2013–2015PSV (loan) 54 (2)
2015–2017 Marseille 34 (1)
2017–2020 Hertha BSC 64 (3)
2020–2023 Sevilla 45 (1)
2023– Al-Jazira 18 (0)
International career
2009–2010 Netherlands U16 6 (0)
2010–2011 Netherlands U17 18 (1)
2011–2013 Netherlands U19 12 (1)
2014–2016 Netherlands U21 15 (1)
2014–2017 Netherlands 4 (0)
Medal record
Men's football
Representing  Netherlands
UEFA European Under-17 Championship
Winner 2011 Serbia
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 2 June 2024
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 14 November 2017

Rekik came through the youth academy at Feyenoord, before joining Premier League side Manchester City who he signed on a professional terms in 2011. He would only make one appearance for City in the league over a four-year spell, spending time on loan with Portsmouth, Blackburn Rovers and PSV. In 2015 he signed for Marseille where he remained for several seasons before joining Hertha BSC.

He has been capped at numerous international levels, including four caps for Netherlands between 2014 and 2017.

Early life

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Rekik was born in The Hague.[1] His father was born in Tunisia and his mother is a Dutch primary school teaching assistant.[3] He has a younger brother, Omar, who is also a professional footballer who is currently a free agent.

Rekik started his football when he joined Scheveningen in 1999 before joining Feyenoord, where he went on to stay for nine years. But in March 2011, Manchester City made an approach for Rekik, as Feyernood were determined to keep a hold off him.[4] The approach was to be controversial, as the club took the case matter to the Dutch FA, as a result of the club losing their youngsters to Premier League clubs.[5] The club was also considering legal action against Rekik's agent Søren Lerby, though he insisted he was following FIFA's rules.[6] The case was dismissed.[7]

Club career

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Manchester City

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Rekik signed for Manchester City from Feyenoord in the summer of 2011, and made his debut appearance for the first team in the Dublin Super Cup in pre-season.[8]

He made his official first team debut for Manchester City on 21 September 2011 against Birmingham City in the third round of the League Cup, coming on as a substitute for Wayne Bridge in the last 12 minutes of the game.[9] His debut against Birmingham City saw him become the youngest overseas player to appear in a senior game for City, just 16 years and 294 days old.[10] He also made a 73rd-minute substitute appearance in the fourth round of the competition against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux, in place of Luca Scapuzzi.[11]

Rekik returned to Manchester City at the end of the 2011–12 season. On 5 December 2012, it was announced that Rekik signed a long term contract with the club.[12] He would go on to start in his Premier League debut, a 1–0 win at home to Reading on 22 December 2012, and was substituted for James Milner in the 84th minute. Reading claimed that they deserved a penalty for Rekik's challenge on Jay Tabb, which was not given by referee Mike Dean.[13]

On 10 August 2014, Rekik was an unused substitute as City lost the Community Shield 3–0 to Arsenal at Wembley Stadium.[14]

Loan spells in England

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On 22 March 2012, it was confirmed that Michael Appleton was to take Scapuzzi and Rekik on a month's loan at Portsmouth in the Football League Championship.[15] He made his debut for Portsmouth on 27 March, in a 2–0 home win against Hull City. This was also Rekik's first senior league appearance in club football.[16] Unlike Scapuzzi, Rekik became a regular starter as Portsmouth struggled to fight relegation. He was an ever-present figure in the Portsmouth defence as the league came to an end. Nevertheless, Portsmouth were relegated at the end of the season.

On 15 February 2013, it was confirmed that Rekik would join Blackburn Rovers in the Championship until the end of the season.[17] The move reunited him with his former Portsmouth manager Appleton. Rekik made his Blackburn Rovers debut, playing as a left-midfield, in a 2–0 loss against Hull City on 19 February 2013.[18] Rekik went on to make five appearances for the club.

PSV Eindhoven (loan)

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On 8 July 2013, it was confirmed that Rekik would join PSV Eindhoven on loan for the 2013–14 season, wearing number 3. [19]

Rekik made his PSV Eindhoven debut, in the first leg of third round of Champions League, in a 2–0 win over Zulte Waregem on 30 July 2013.[20] Three days later, Rekik made his league debut, in the opening game of the season, in a 3–2 win over ADO Den Haag.[21] Rekik played the remaining three matches in the Champions League play-off, as PSV were knocked out by Milan. However, Rekik suffered an ankle injury, while in international duty.[22] As a result, Rekik would be out for four weeks, though he would need to undergo surgery.[23] The surgery was successful, resulting him out for another four weeks.[24] After two months on the sidelines, Rekik made his return from the first team on 2 November 2013, in a 1–1 draw against PEC Zwolle.[25] He then scored his first Eredivisie goal for PSV on 7 December in a 2–6 home defeat to Vitesse.[26] Rekik went on to captain two games in absence of Georginio Wijnaldum against Utrecht[27] and ADO Den Haag.[28] Later in the 2013–14 season, Rekik became a regular starter at PSV, as he made twenty-five appearances for the club.

 
Rekik playing for Sevilla in 2020

Because of his good performance at PSV, Rekik was keen to re-join PSV for the second time next season, though he could return to Manchester City for next season.[29][30] However, Rekik said he would not return to Manchester City next season unless he was given first team chances.[31]

As his loan spell with PSV came to an end, Rekik was linked with a move to Marseille.[32] Instead on 14 August 2014, it announced that Rekik returned to PSV until the end of the season.[33] Rekik's first game after signing for the club on a loan for the second time came, in a 6–1 win over NAC Breda on 16 August 2014.[34] Rekik then scored his second goal of his PSV career on 9 November 2014, in a 2–1 win over Heracles.[35] Since making his second debut for PSV, Rekik continued to be in the first team in straight matches until he suffered a hamstring injury and was substituted during a match against AZ Alkmaar on 13 February 2015.[36] After making his return to training,[37] Rekik made his return to the first team on 22 March 2015, in a 2–1 loss against Feyernood.[38] Despite this, Rekik later helped PSV win their first league since 2008. Rekik later spoke out about the club's winning the league.[39] Like his first season at PSV, Rekik established himself in the first team with twenty-nine appearances and formed a strong central-defense partnership with Jeffrey Bruma.[40]

Following the 2014–15 season came to an end, PSV was keen to sign Rekik for the third time.[41] However, PSV decided not to sign him after Rekik made it clear that he wanted to play in a bigger league than the Eredivisie.[42]

Marseille

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On 30 June 2015, Rekik joined Marseille for an undisclosed fee after making just two appearances for Manchester City in four years.[43] The move was later confirmed on 2 July 2015 and the player was unveiled, along with Lucas Ocampos.[44] Rekik scored his first goal for Marseille in a 1–1 Ligue 1 draw with rivals Lyon on 20 September.[45]

Hertha BSC

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On 16 June 2017, he signed for Hertha BSC for a reported fee of €2.5 million as a long term replacement for the departing John Anthony Brooks to VfL Wolfsburg.[46][47]

Sevilla

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On 5 October 2020, Rekik signed for Spanish club Sevilla FC until 2025.[48]

Al Jazira

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On 30 July 2023, Rekik signed for UAE Pro League club Al-Jazira.[49]

International career

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Rekik was eligible to play for Netherlands, through his birthplace, and Tunisia, through his father.

Rekik was called up by Netherlands U17 in September 2010 and made his Netherlands U17 debut, in a 0–0 draw against Italy U17. Rekik was then called up into the squad by Netherlands U17 for the UEFA European Under-17 Championship and scored the opening game of the season, in a 2–0 win over Germany U17.[50] Rekik went on to help the club reach the final, where Netherlands U17 beat Germany U17 5–2.[51]

Rekik was then called up by Netherlands U19 in October 2011 and made his Netherlands U19 debut, in a 3–0 win over Moldova U19. Rekik then captained his first Netherlands U19 game, in a 2–0 win over Norway U19. Rekik went on to captain five times in his eleven appearances.

In August 2013, Rekik was first called up Netherlands for the two matches in the World Cup Qualifying, but was never used.[52]

Rekik made his debut for the Netherlands national team in a 2–0 friendly defeat to France at the Stade de France 6 March 2014.[53] In May 2014, he was named in manager Louis van Gaal's provisional 30-man squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.[54] However, on 31 May 2014, van Gaal announced his final squad, which saw Rekik left out of the 23 man squad.[55]

Career statistics

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Club

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As of match played 31 May 2023[56]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup[a] League cup[b] Europe Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Manchester City 2011–12 Premier League 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
2012–13 Premier League 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Total 1 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 3 0
Portsmouth (loan) 2011–12 Championship 8 0 0 0 0 0 8 0
Blackburn Rovers (loan) 2012–13 Championship 5 0 0 0 0 0 5 0
PSV Eindhoven (loan) 2013–14 Eredivisie 25 1 0 0 6[c] 0 31 1
2014–15 Eredivisie 29 1 1 0 8[d] 0 38 1
Total 54 2 1 0 14 0 69 2
Marseille 2015–16 Ligue 1 24 1 6 0 1 0 5[d] 0 36 1
2016–17 Ligue 1 10 0 1 0 1 0 12 0
Total 34 1 7 0 2 0 5 0 48 1
Marseille II 2016–17 CFA 1 0 1 0
Hertha BSC 2017–18 Bundesliga 26 2 2 0 3[d] 0 31 2
2018–19 Bundesliga 24 0 3 0 27 0
2019–20 Bundesliga 14 1 2 0 16 1
2020–21 Bundesliga 0 0 1 0 1 0
Total 64 3 8 0 3 0 75 3
Sevilla 2020–21 La Liga 11 0 7 0 4[e] 0 0 0 22 0
2021–22 La Liga 18 0 3 0 5[f] 0 26 0
2022–23 La Liga 16 1 3 0 3[g] 0 22 1
Total 45 1 13 0 12 0 0 0 70 1
Career total 212 7 29 0 4 0 34 0 0 0 279 7
Notes
  1. ^ Includes FA Cup, KNVB Cup, Coupe de France, DFB-Pokal and Copa del Rey
  2. ^ Includes EFL Cup and Coupe de la Ligue
  3. ^ Four appearances in UEFA Champions League, two appearances in UEFA Europa League
  4. ^ a b c Appearance(s) in UEFA Europa League
  5. ^ Appearance(s) in UEFA Champions League
  6. ^ Four appearances in UEFA Champions League, one appearance in UEFA Europa League
  7. ^ One appearance in UEFA Champions League, two appearances in UEFA Europa League

International

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As of match played 14 November 2017
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
Netherlands 2014 1 0
2017 3 0
Total 4 0

Honours

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PSV

Marseille

Sevilla

Netherlands U17

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Karim Rekik". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 8 October 2017.
  2. ^ "Karim Rekik". Sevilla FC. Archived from the original on 16 July 2022. Retrieved 16 July 2022.
  3. ^ "Karim Rekik, made in Tunisia". La Presse Tunisie (in French). 27 June 2011. Archived from the original on 14 February 2012. Retrieved 8 March 2012.
  4. ^ "Gossip: City in for Dutch centre-back". Manchester Evening News. 15 March 2011. Retrieved 16 July 2015.
  5. ^ "Manchester City's swoop for Feyenoord starlet Karim Rekik branded 'stupid' by Dutch club". The Telegraph.
  6. ^ "Karim Rekik ou la nouvelle affaire qui menace Manchester City" (in Dutch). Foot Mercato. 15 March 2011. Retrieved 16 July 2015.
  7. ^ "Tuchtcommissie behandelt transfer Feyenoorder (15)" (in Dutch). AD.nl. 10 June 2011. Retrieved 16 July 2015.
  8. ^ "A bit more on new arrivals at Manchester City Karim Rekik Denis Suarez Luca Scapuzzi". mcfc.co.uk. (Manchester City Football Club). 2 August 2011. Archived from the original on 28 February 2012. Retrieved 15 October 2011.
  9. ^ "Manchester City 2 – 0 Birmingham City". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 21 September 2011. Retrieved 28 October 2011.
  10. ^ "Rekik 'honoured' to be in record books". Manchester City F.C. 28 September 2011. Archived from the original on 16 July 2015. Retrieved 16 July 2015.
  11. ^ "Wolverhampton Wanderers 2 – 5 Manchester City". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 26 October 2011. Retrieved 28 October 2011.
  12. ^ "Rekik has signed a new long-term contract". Sky Sports. 5 December 2012. Retrieved 16 July 2015.
  13. ^ Ornstein, David (22 December 2012). "Man City 1–0 Reading". BBC Sport. Retrieved 11 August 2014.
  14. ^ Sanghera, Mandeep (10 August 2014). "Arsenal 3–0 Man City". BBC Sport. Retrieved 10 August 2014.
  15. ^ "Manchester City Pair Sign". Portsmouth. 22 March 2012. Archived from the original on 24 March 2012. Retrieved 16 July 2015.
  16. ^ "Portsmouth 2 – 0 Hull City". BBC Sport. 27 March 2012. Retrieved 16 July 2015.
  17. ^ "Rekik is a Rover". Blackburn Rovers. Blackburn Rovers. 15 February 2013. Archived from the original on 18 February 2013. Retrieved 15 February 2013.
  18. ^ "Hull City 2–0 Blackburn Rovers". BBC Sport. 19 February 2013. Retrieved 16 July 2015.
  19. ^ Rekik gekeurd door PSV, traint dinsdag al mee Archived 12 December 2013 at the Wayback Machine (Dutch); Voetbalprimeur, 8 July 2013
  20. ^ "PSV: een verjongingskuur en harttransplantatie tegelijk" (in Dutch). AD.nl. 31 July 2013. Retrieved 16 July 2015.
  21. ^ "PSV wint simpel van ADO Den Haag" (in Dutch). NRC.nl. 3 August 2013. Retrieved 16 July 2015.
  22. ^ "Rekik twijfelgeval voor Cocu in topper tegen FC Twente" (in Dutch). Voetbal International. 10 September 2013. Retrieved 16 July 2015.
  23. ^ "PSV moet Rekik waarschijnlijk vier weken missen" (in Dutch). Voetbal International. 12 September 2013. Retrieved 16 July 2015.
  24. ^ "Kortom – Operatie Rekik succesvol, Giroud naar Frankrijk" (in Dutch). Voetbal International. 17 September 2013. Retrieved 16 July 2015.
  25. ^ "Dapper PEC brengt PSV wederom schade toe in Eindhoven" (in Dutch). Voetbal International. 2 November 2013. Retrieved 16 July 2015.
  26. ^ "PSV 2 – 6 Vitesse Arnhem". BBC Sport. 7 December 2013. Retrieved 16 July 2015.
  27. ^ "PSV met Park in De Galgenwaard" (in Dutch). AD.nl. 15 December 2013. Retrieved 16 July 2015.
  28. ^ "Voetballer Gehrt van ADO breekt sleutelbeen" (in Dutch). AD.nl. 23 December 2013. Retrieved 16 July 2015.
  29. ^ "Transfer news: PSV Eindhoven keen to keep Manchester City's Karim Rekik beyond the summer". Sky Sports. 28 February 2014. Retrieved 16 July 2015.
  30. ^ "PSV loan star Rekik could save City a fortune". Manchester Evening News. 3 April 2014. Retrieved 16 July 2015.
  31. ^ "Transfer news: Karim Rekik coy over possible return to Manchester City". Sky Sports. 17 April 2014. Retrieved 16 July 2015.
  32. ^ "Marseille in for City centre-back Karim Rekik". Manchester Evening News. 3 July 2014. Retrieved 16 July 2015.
  33. ^ "Rekik 'hervat' training in Eindhoven en traint mee met equipe van Cocu". Voetbalprimeur (in Dutch). 14 August 2014. Retrieved 14 August 2014.
  34. ^ "PSV kleineert NAC Breda dankzij Depay en Wijnaldum" (in Dutch). Voetbal International. 16 August 2014. Retrieved 16 July 2015.
  35. ^ "PSV pas in blessuretijd langs dapper Heracles" (in Dutch). AD.nl. 9 November 2014. Retrieved 16 July 2015.
  36. ^ "PSV zonder Rekik tegen Zenit en Dordrecht" (in Dutch). Voetbal International. 16 February 2015. Retrieved 16 July 2015.
  37. ^ "Maher en Rekik terug op trainingsveld bij PSV" (in Dutch). Voetbal International. 10 March 2015. Retrieved 16 July 2015.
  38. ^ "Arias haakt af voor topper in De Kuip" (in Dutch). Voetbal International. 22 March 2015. Retrieved 16 July 2015.
  39. ^ "Rekik: 'We zakken niet meer door de ondergrens'" (in Dutch). Voetbal International. 20 April 2015. Retrieved 16 July 2015.
  40. ^ "Bruma en Rekik van onschatbare waarde voor PSV" (in Dutch). Voetbal International. 20 April 2015. Retrieved 16 July 2015.
  41. ^ "PSV krijgt Reyes aangeboden, Rekik blijft eerste optie" (in Dutch). Voetbal International. 6 June 2015. Retrieved 16 July 2015.
  42. ^ "PSV raakt Rekik en Wijnaldum kwijt, Isimat-Mirin blijft" (in Dutch). Voetbal International. 23 June 2015. Retrieved 16 July 2015.
  43. ^ "Marseille agree deal for Manchester City defender Karim Rekik". Sky Sports. 30 June 2015. Retrieved 16 July 2015.
  44. ^ "Transfert Lucas Ocampos et Karim Rekik officiellement à l'OM" (in French). L'Equipe. 2 July 2015. Retrieved 16 July 2015.
  45. ^ "Marseille rally to earn draw with Lyon in temporarily suspended match". ESPN. 20 September 2015. Retrieved 14 March 2016.
  46. ^ "Hertha secure signing of Rekik from Marseille". ESPN.com. 16 June 2017.
  47. ^ "Karim Rekik: Talent mit Delle". www.tagesspiegel.de.
  48. ^ "Karim Rekik refuerza el centro de la zaga Sevillista hasta 2025". Sevilla FC (in Spanish). 25 October 2020.
  49. ^ "KARIM REKIK SE MARCHA TRASPASADO AL AL JAZIRA CLUB". Sevilla FC (in Spanish). 30 July 2023.
  50. ^ "Oranje −17 plaatst zich voor WK" (in Dutch). AD.nl. 6 May 2011. Retrieved 16 July 2015.
  51. ^ "Europees kampioenen willen eerst bij Feyenoord slagen" (in Dutch). AD.nl. 17 May 2011. Retrieved 16 July 2015.
  52. ^ "Karim Rekik receives first Netherlands call up". Manchester City F.C. 22 August 2013. Archived from the original on 16 September 2014. Retrieved 16 July 2015.
  53. ^ "International friendly: France ease to a 2–0 win over Holland in Paris". BSkyB. 6 March 2014. Retrieved 20 May 2014.
  54. ^ "Loan Watch: Rekik included in provisional Netherlands World Cup squad". Manchester City Football Club. 14 May 2014. Archived from the original on 15 September 2014. Retrieved 20 May 2014.
  55. ^ "World Cup 2014: Netherlands announce final World Cup squad". BBC Sport. 31 May 2014. Retrieved 16 July 2015.
  56. ^ "Karim Rekik – Voetbal International profile". Voetbal International.
  57. ^ Lowe, Sid (31 May 2023). "Montiel edges Sevilla to seventh Europa League triumph with win over Roma". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  58. ^ Gouka, Mikos (17 May 2011). "Europees kampioenen willen eerst bij Feyenoord slagen". Algemeen Dagblad (in Dutch). Retrieved 9 November 2023.
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  NODES
Association 1
chat 1
COMMUNITY 1
INTERN 23
Note 2