Saphir Sliti Taïder (Arabic: سفير سليتي تايدر; born 29 February 1992) is a professional footballer who plays for Gulf United as a central midfielder. Born in France, he played for the Algeria national team.

Saphir Taïder
Taïder with Montreal Impact in 2018
Personal information
Full name Saphir Sliti Taïder[1]
Date of birth (1992-02-29) 29 February 1992 (age 32)
Place of birth Castres, France
Height 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
Gulf United
Number 10
Youth career
1998–2006 Castres FC
2006–2008 Albi
2008–2010 Grenoble
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2010–2011 Grenoble 26 (1)
2011–2013 Bologna 48 (3)
2013–2015 Internazionale 25 (1)
2014Southampton (loan) 0 (0)
2014–2015Sassuolo (loan) 27 (3)
2015–2019 Bologna 62 (3)
2018–2019Montreal Impact (loan) 65 (16)
2020 Montreal Impact 11 (4)
2020–2022 Al-Ain 7 (3)
2024– Gulf United 0 (0)
International career
2010 France U18 2 (1)
2010–2011 France U19 7 (2)
2011–2012 France U20 3 (0)
2013–2019 Algeria 46 (5)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 8 February 2021
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 31 May 2019

After beginning professionally with Grenoble in 2010, Taïder spent most of his career in Italy, representing Bologna (two spells), Internazionale and Sassuolo. Over six and a half seasons, he made 172 appearances and scored 10 goals in Serie A.

Taïder represented his place of birth, France, in the youth international level. He made his senior debut for Algeria in 2013 and represented the nation at the 2014 FIFA World Cup and 2015 Africa Cup of Nations.

Club career

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Grenoble

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Taïder made his professional debut with Grenoble on 15 May 2010 in a league match against Marseille.[2][3] On 5 July 2010, he signed his first professional contract, agreeing to a three-year deal with Grenoble.[4]

Bologna

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Following Grenoble's relegation to the Championnat de France amateur 2, the fifth division of French football, due to financial problems in 2011, Taïder joined Italian club Bologna. He made his Serie A debut on 11 December 2011 as a substitute. On 16 January 2012, he made his first start in Serie A in the 1–1 draw against Napoli. A day later, it was announced Taïder was signed by Juventus on a co-ownership deal for €2,425,000 in which Frederik Sørensen heading the other way for €2.5 million,[5] effectively made Bologna acquired 50% registration rights of Sørensen for €75,000 in a cash plus player deal. Taïder remained on loan at Bologna for the rest of 2011–12 season. In June 2012, Bologna bought back Taïder for €2.35 million,[6] while Sørensen returned to Juventus in June 2014.

Inter

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On 20 August 2013, Taïder joined Internazionale on a four-year contract for a €5.5 million transfer fee,[7]: 31, 42 [8]: 39  plus the loan of Diego Laxalt.[9] Bologna also retained 50% registration as part of the co-ownership deal.[7][8][9][10][11] He made his debut for the Nerazzurri six days later in a 2–0 home victory against Genoa, coming on as a substitute for Ricky Álvarez in the 85th minute. He played 25 times in 2013–14 Serie A for Inter, scoring once in a 7–0 win at Sassuolo on 22 September.[12] On 4 December, in his only Coppa Italia match of the season, he scored a first-half penalty in a 3–2 home win over Serie B club Trapani in the tournament's fourth round.[13]

In June 2014, the co-ownership deal of Taïder between Bologna and Inter was renewed.[14] However, on 1 July, Inter purchased him outright[15][16] for a €2 million fee,[8]: 43, 62  with former Bologna youth product Lorenzo Paramatti returning to his parent club[15][16] for a €1 million fee.[17][18]

On 6 August 2014, Taïder joined English Premier League side Southampton on a season-long loan, in exchange for Dani Osvaldo.[19] He played his only match three days later, replacing James Ward-Prowse in the 61st minute of a 1–0 home friendly defeat to Bayer Leverkusen.[20]

The loan was terminated on 1 September 2014[21] and he was immediately loaned to Serie A side Sassuolo,[22] as Southampton said he "failed to live up to the high levels of commitment expected of Southampton players".[23] He made his debut 13 days later, replacing Simone Missiroli at half-time as Sassuolo lost 7–0 to Inter at the San Siro.[24]

Return to Bologna

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Taïder with Bologna in 2017

On 31 August 2015, Bologna re-signed Taïder on a two-year loan, with an obligation to purchase him outright for an undisclosed fee.[25][26] Inter also write-down the value of the contact of Taïder to €2.5 million backdated to 30 June 2015.[27] At Bologna, he also joined fellow Inter teammate Lorenzo Crisetig, who was signed under the same loan plus obligation deal in July 2015. According to Bologna, the club acquired Taïder for a €2 million transfer fee plus an additional €500,000 as a loan fee for the 2016–17 season.[28] Bologna acquired Taïder on loan for free in 2015–16 season.[29]

Taïder played 29 and 24 times for Bologna in Serie A in 2015–16 and 2016–17 season respectively, scoring three goals.

Montreal Impact

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On 22 January 2018, Taïder signed a three-year deal at Major League Soccer (MLS) club Montreal Impact, starting with a two-year loan and the option of a fourth year.[30] He joined as a Designated Player.[31] He made his debut on 7 March as the season began with a 2–1 loss at fellow Canadians Vancouver Whitecaps FC in what was also the first match for Impact manager Rémi Garde.[32] A month later, he received a straight red card in the 14th minute of a 4–0 loss at the New England Revolution for a foul on Luis Caicedo.[33] He scored his first goal for the Impact on 28 April, albeit in a 4–1 defeat away to Atlanta United FC.[34]

On 21 November 2019, Montreal opted to make his move permanent.[35]

Al-Ain

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On 14 October 2020, signed with Al-Ain ahead of their inaugural season in the Saudi Professional League.[36]

Gulf United

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On 28 August 2024, signed with Gulf United.[37]

International career

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Taïder played for France at U18, U19 and U20 level. On 26 March 2013, Taïder scored on his debut for Algeria against Benin.

At the 2014 FIFA World Cup, Taïder played the entirety of Algeria's opening group match, a 2–1 defeat to Belgium.[38] He did not feature again until the round of 16, playing the first 78 minutes of a loss to Germany by the same score after extra time in Porto Alegre.[39]

Taïder was chosen in coach Christian Gourcuff's Algerian squad for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea.[40] He played every match as they were eliminated in the quarter-finals by eventual winners Ivory Coast.

Personal life

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Taïder was born in France to a Tunisian father and an Algerian mother.[citation needed] He is the younger brother of Tunisian international Nabil Taïder.[41]

Career statistics

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Club

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As of 21 September 2020[42]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League Cup Continental Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Grenoble 2009–10 Ligue 1 1 0 1 0
2010–11 Ligue 2 25 1 1 0 26 1
Total 26 1 1 0 27 1
Bologna 2011–12 Serie A 14 0 2 0 16 0
2012–13 34 3 1 2 35 5
Total 48 3 3 2 51 5
Internazionale 2013–14 Serie A 25 1 1 1 26 2
Sassuolo (loan) 2014–15 Serie A 27 3 0 0 27 3
Bologna (loan) 2015–16 Serie A 29 0 0 0 29 0
2016–17 24 3 2 1 26 4
Total 53 3 2 1 55 4
Bologna 2017–18 Serie A 9 0 1 0 10 0
Montreal Impact (loan) 2018 MLS 33 7 2 0 35 7
2019 32 9 5 1 37 10
Total 65 16 7 1 2 1 72 17
Montreal Impact 2020 MLS 12 4 0 0 2[a] 1 7 4
Career total 265 31 15 5 2 1 281 37
  1. ^ All appearance(s) in CONCACAF Champions League

International goals

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Scores and results list Algeria's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Taïder goal.[43]
List of international goals scored by Saphir Taïder
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1 26 March 2013 Stade Mustapha Tchaker, Blida, Algeria   Benin 2–1 3–1 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification
2 16 June 2013 Stade Amahoro, Kigali, Rwanda   Rwanda 1–0 1–0 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification
3 5 March 2014 Stade Mustapha Tchaker, Blida, Algeria   Slovenia 2–0 2–0 Friendly match
4 25 March 2016 Stade Mustapha Tchaker, Blida, Algeria   Ethiopia 5–0 7–1 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualification
5 4 September 2016 Stade Mustapha Tchaker, Blida, Algeria   Lesotho 3–0 6–0 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualification

Honours

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Montreal Impact

References

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  1. ^ "2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil: List of players: Algeria" (PDF). FIFA. 14 July 2014. p. 1. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 April 2019. Retrieved 11 May 2019.
  2. ^ "Marseille v. Grenoble Match Report". Ligue de Football Professionnel. 15 May 2010. Retrieved 15 May 2010.
  3. ^ "Saphir Taider titulaire contre l'OM". Espoirs du Football. 15 May 2010. Retrieved 15 May 2010.
  4. ^ "Taïder passe pro". France Football. 5 July 2010. Archived from the original on 7 July 2010. Retrieved 5 July 2010.
  5. ^ "Half-yearly financial report at 31 December 2011" (PDF). Turin: Juventus F.C. 29 March 2012. Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 January 2015. Retrieved 18 June 2012.
  6. ^ "Relazione finanziaria annuale al 30 giugno 2012" (PDF) (in Italian). Juventus F.C. 8 October 2012. Retrieved 31 August 2015.
  7. ^ a b "Nota Integrativa". F.C. Internazionale Milano S.p.A. bilancio al 2014-06-30 (statutory filing) (in Italian). Milan: Italian C.C.I.A.A. 2014.
  8. ^ a b c "Nota Integrativa". Bologna F.C. 1909 S.p.A. bilancio al 2014-06-30 (statutory filing) (in Italian). Bologna: Italian C.C.I.A.A.
  9. ^ a b "Taider va all'Inter Al Bologna 6 milioni e Laxalt". Corriere di Bologna (in Italian). RCS MediaGroup. 20 August 2013. Retrieved 28 December 2017.
  10. ^ "Algeria midfielder Saphir Taider joins Inter Milan". BBC Sport. 21 August 2013. Retrieved 21 August 2013.
  11. ^ "INTER WELCOME SAPHIR TAIDER" (Press release). F.C. Internazionale Milano. 20 August 2013. Retrieved 28 December 2017.
  12. ^ "Serie A: Sassuolo 0 Inter 7". FourFourTwo. 22 September 2013. Retrieved 11 May 2018.
  13. ^ "Coppa Italia, Inter-Trapani 3–2: i siciliani spaventano Mazzarri, nerazzurri agli ottavi". La Gazzetta dello Sport (in Italian). 4 December 2013. Retrieved 11 May 2018.
  14. ^ "Rinnovata la partecipazione per Taider con l'Internazionale" [Renewal of the co-ownership of Taider with Internazionale] (Press release) (in Italian). Bologna F.C. 1909. 20 June 2014. Retrieved 28 December 2017.
  15. ^ a b "TAIDER NOW 100% A NERAZZURRI PLAYER" (Press release). F.C. Internazionale Milano. 2 July 2014. Retrieved 28 December 2017.
  16. ^ a b "Mercato: tutte le operazioni di oggi" (Press release) (in Italian). Bologna F.C. 1909. 1 July 2014. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 12 October 2015.
  17. ^ "Nota Integrativa". Bologna F.C. 1909 S.p.A. bilancio al 2015-06-30 (statutory filing) (in Italian). Bologna: Italian C.C.I.A.A. 2015.
  18. ^ "Nota Integrativa". F.C. Internazionale Milano S.p.A. bilancio al 2015-06-30 (statutory filing) (in Italian). Milan: Italian C.C.I.A.A. 2015. p. 29. Pusvalenze da cessione diritti alle prestazioni calciatori
  19. ^ "Saphir Taider: Southampton swap Dani Osvaldo for Inter Milan star". BBC Sport. 6 August 2014. Retrieved 6 August 2014.
  20. ^ Williams, Simon (9 August 2014). "REPORT: Southampton 0–1 Bayer 04 Leverkusen" (Press release). Southampton F.C. Retrieved 14 September 2014.
  21. ^ "Loanee Taïder returns to Inter Milan" (Press release). Southampton F.C. 1 September 2014. Retrieved 1 September 2014.
  22. ^ "Mercato, Taider al Sassuolo" (Press release) (in Italian). F.C. Internazionale Milano. 1 September 2014. Retrieved 12 October 2015.
  23. ^ "Transfer deadline day: Saphir Taider leaves Southampton". BBC Sport. 1 September 2014. Retrieved 1 September 2014.
  24. ^ "Inter Milan 7–0 Sassuolo". BBC Sport. 14 September 2014. Retrieved 14 September 2014.
  25. ^ "Saphir Taider al Bologna" (Press release) (in Italian). F.C. Internazionale Milano. 31 August 2015. Retrieved 12 October 2015.
  26. ^ "Taider al Bologna" (Press release) (in Italian). Bologna F.C. 1909. 31 August 2015. Retrieved 28 December 2017.
  27. ^ "Nota Integrativa". F.C. Internazionale Milano S.p.A. bilancio al 2015-06-30 (in Italian). Milan: Italian C.C.I.A.A. 2015. p. 34. Svalutazione delle immobilizzazioni
  28. ^ "Nota integrativa". Bologna F.C. 1909 S.p.A. bilancio al 2017-06-30 (statuary filing) (in Italian). Bologna: Italian C.C.I.A.A. 2017.
  29. ^ "Nota integrativa". Bologna F.C. 1909 S.p.A. bilancio al 2016-06-30 (statuary filing) (in Italian). Bologna: Italian C.C.I.A.A. 2016. p. 30. costi per acquisizione temporanea...
  30. ^ "Algeria's Taider moves from Bologna to MLS side Montreal". BBC Sport. 23 January 2018. Retrieved 11 May 2018.
  31. ^ "Algerian international Saphir Taïder joins Impact as new Designated Player". Montreal Impact. 22 January 2018. Retrieved 11 May 2018.
  32. ^ Mahoney, Ridge (7 March 2018). "MLS Focus: Newcomers debut under yet another new coach in Montreal". Soccer America. Retrieved 11 May 2018.
  33. ^ "Impact succumb to the Revolution". CBC. Associated Press. 7 April 2018. Retrieved 11 May 2018.
  34. ^ Quillen, Ian (28 April 2018). "Play Video Atlanta United 4, Montreal Impact 1". Major League Soccer. Retrieved 11 May 2018.
  35. ^ "Montreal Impact pick up Ignacio Piatti option, finalize permanent transfer for Saphir Taider". mlssoccer.com. Major League Soccer. 21 November 2019. Retrieved 23 March 2020.
  36. ^ "Saphir Taïder transféré au club saoudien Al Ain FC | CF Montréal".
  37. ^ "بعد حوالي سنتين من البطالة.. تايدر يخوض تجربة جديدة في الإمارات".
  38. ^ Chowdhury, Saj (17 June 2014). "Belgium 2–1 Algeria". BBC Sport. Retrieved 14 September 2014.
  39. ^ Ornstein, David (1 July 2014). "Germany 2–1 Algeria". BBC Sport. Retrieved 14 September 2014.
  40. ^ "Africa Cup of Nations squads begin to take form". The National. AFP. 29 December 2014. Retrieved 11 May 2018.
  41. ^ Hassani, Kamal (6 June 2014). "World Cup 2014: Algeria – the secrets behind the players". The Guardian.
  42. ^ "Saphir Taïder". Soccerway. Retrieved 1 June 2018.
  43. ^ "Saphir Taïder – National Football Teams". National Football Teams. Retrieved 2 July 2015.
  44. ^ "Impact wins Voyageurs Cup in Toronto". impactmontreal.com. 25 September 2019.
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