Brahim Hemdani
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Brahim Hemdani | ||
| Height | 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Midfielder | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Rangers | ||
| Number | 7 | ||
| ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of July 18, 2006 | |||
Brahim Hemdani (born 15 March 1978) is a French professional football player of Algerian origin who currently plays for Rangers in the Scottish Premier League.
Hemdani, who has been capped for France under-21 football squad, may play for his home country or the national team of Algeria, though he has declined the chance to be included as part of their squad on several occasions.
Hemdani started his career with Cannes where he spent two seasons before a transfer to RC Strasbourg where he spent three seasons. He then joined Marseille where he helped them to the UEFA Cup final in 2004. He joined Rangers on 14 June 2005 on a Bosman transfer and signed a four-year contract.[1]
Hemdani suffered from injury problems during his debut season at Rangers, making his first appearance as late as October against Dundee United[2]. Hemdani was a regular in the Rangers midfield from then on and helped the club reach the last 16 of the Champions League for the first time in their history, despite the club finishing third in the SPL and ending the season without a trophy.
Hemdani began season 2006-07 in midfield alongside new signing Jérémy Clément and Charlie Adam with captain Barry Ferguson injured. However, Hemdani was later used in a defensive role with Ferguson, Adam and Clément the preferred selection in midfield.
Hemdani's first goal for Rangers came midway through his second season at the club, a shot from outside the box to equalise in the 88th minute of an Old Firm game on December 17 2006 making him an instant hero in the eyes of the Ibrox fans. His second goal came in similar circumstances in a UEFA Cup match the following March against CA Osasuna, scoring from outside the box to equalise in injury time.
On April 16 2007, Hemdani was named Rangers' Player of the Year at an award ceremony, voted for by the club's fans. [3]
References
- ^ "Rangers clinch deal for Hemdani". BBC Sport website. 14 June, 2005.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "Dundee Utd 0-0 Rangers". BBC Sport website. 16 October 2005.
- ^ "Hemdani Named Player Of The Year". Rangers official website. April 16, 2007.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help)
External links
- Brahim Hemdani at Soccerbase