Who is Mehdi Abeid?
Posted on May 25th, 2011 | 15 Comments |
He is an eighteen year old right footed offensive (in the football sense!) midfielder who can, apparently, also play in a forward position. Of French Algerian descent. Abeid himself said that he he has spoken with Hatem Ben Arfa with Cheick Tiote about the club, and that they “encouraged” and “welcomed” him (more on that below).
Though he seems to be fairly highly regarded, he is almost certainly another ‘one for the future’, having gained most of his previous experience in Lens’s ‘B’ team, rather than in full competition. He does have experience with France’s Under 17 and under 18 teams though, with 14 under 17 caps (scoring 2 goals) and 3 Under 18 caps. Although his signing was only just announced offiicially earlier today, the deal had been ongoing for a while, with Abeid training with the club’s reserves last week.
In an interview on his transfer to Newcastle United, he told French football magazine, L’Equipe:
“After eight fantastic years at Lens, I have stagnated. I needed a change of air. I am not afraid to leave for abroad, I have had contact dating back some time and I visited the facilities there last week. I even trained with the reserve team.
“I have had contact dating back some time and I visited the facilities there last week. I even trained with the reserve team. The leaders of the club told me about their plans and that they will rely on me for next season. For my part, I intend to give everything to develop in the Premier League.”
In another interview, he also said:
“I can confirm I have agreed a deal with Newcastle. I would not disclose the contract period as this is between the club and myself. I visited the facilities last week and had a trial in the reserve team. The bosses at Newcastle told me about their project and said they wanted me for next season. For my part, I intend to give everything to evolve in the Premier League. It is a strong league and I opted for it despite other options in France.”
On his move from Lens, he continued:
“The management at Lens no longer wanted me, so I expressed my desire to move on. I spent eight seasons at the club and it was great wearing the shirt but lately my progress stagnated. It is with regret that I leave this club but I have had some good opportunities. I retain a lot of positives from my time here but I think I will always regret never having graced Stade Felix Bollaert. It was a dream for me but I soon realised it would not be possible. I’m not afraid to leave. I speak English and over there, some French players will welcome me back to training in July. I have already discussed the club with Hatem Ben Arfa and Cheik Tioté. They encouraged me and welcomed me. Now I will work hard and prove that I can play in this league.”
He concluded:
“I hope to be given the opportunity but must begin well in my first steps. I see no reason why I cannot do well. It would be nice to follow the examples of Adel Taarabt and Gael Kakuta who have done well at Queen’s Park Rangers and Fulham. I am very happy to cross the channel, but before leaving, I want to thank everyone at RC Lens.”
Welcome to Newcastle Mehdi! We hope that stay on Tyneside will be a good one.
No doubt, we will be featuring more on this player in the near future.
NUFCBlog Author: workyticket
workyticket has written 1095 articles on this blog.
Hopefully he will have more impact than Andy Mogwo, he has been released.
Strange these days we always here from players and their representatives before the club. Newcastle are so slow in releasing details. Abeid still not confirmed officially I think.