Aymen Tahar
{{Short description|Algerian footballer (born 1989)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Aymen Tahar
| image =
| caption = Tahar (left) in training at Steaua
| fullname =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1989|10|02|df=y}}
| birth_place = Algiers, Algeria{{Soccerway|aymen-tahar/73941}}
| height = 1.76 m
| position = Midfielder
| currentclub =
| clubnumber =
| youthyears1 = 2006–2008
| youthclubs1 = Sheffield United
| years1 = 2008–2010
| clubs1 = Sheffield United
| caps1 = 0
| goals1 = 0|
| caps2 = 0
| goals2 = 0
| years3 = 2010–2012
| clubs3 = Staveley Miners Welfare
| caps3 =
| goals3 =
| years4 = 2012–2015
| clubs4 = Gaz Metan Mediaș
| caps4 = 92
| goals4 = 5
| years5 = 2015–2016
| clubs5 = Steaua București
| caps5 = 15
| goals5 = 1
| years6 = 2016
| clubs6 = → Boavista (loan)
| caps6 = 11
| goals6 = 0
| years7 = 2016
| clubs7 = Sagan Tosu
| caps7 = 1
| goals7 = 0
| years8 = 2017
| clubs8 = Gaz Metan Mediaș
| caps8 = 12
| goals8 = 0
| years9 = 2017–2019
| clubs9 = Boavista
| caps9 = 27
| goals9 = 0
| years10 = 2019–2021
| clubs10 = Panetolikos
| caps10 = 53
| goals10 = 2
| clubs11 = AEL
| years11 = 2021
| caps11 = 4
| goals11 = 0
| nationalyears1 = 2008
| nationalteam1 = Algeria U20
| nationalcaps1 = 4
| nationalgoals1 = 2
| club-update = 17:00, 27 December 2021 (UTC)
| nationalteam-update = 11 July 2011
}}
Aymen Tahar ({{langx|ar|أيمن طاهر}}; born 2 October 1989) is an Algerian professional footballer who last played as a midfielder for Greek Super League 2 club AEL.{{cite news|title=EXCLUSIV Fotbalistul fără defecte! Cum este caracterizat noul transfer al Stelei de antrenorul care îl cunoaşte cel mai bine|url=http://www.gsp.ro/fotbal/liga-1/exclusiv-fotbalistul-fara-defecte-cum-este-caracterizat-noul-transfer-al-stelei-de-antrenorul-care-il-cunoaste-cel-mai-bine-452880.html|publisher=Gazistul.ro|language=Hungarian|date=30 June 2015|accessdate=6 August 2016}} At international level, he has represented the Algeria U20 national team.
Club career
=Playing in England=
Aymen was born in Algiers, Algeria, and raised in Sheffield, England to an Algerian family.{{cite news|title=Născut la Alger, Aymen Tahar s-a format la Sheffield Utd şi speră să ajungă la fel de celebru ca Zidane|url=http://www.gsp.ro/fotbal/liga-1/nascut-la-alger-aymen-tahar-s-a-format-la-sheffield-utd-si-spera-sa-ajunga-la-fel-de-celebru-ca-zidane-307306.html|publisher=Gazeta Sporturlor|language=Romanian|date=16 February 2012|accessdate=6 August 2016}} Though he grew up supporting Arsenal,{{cite news|title=Aymen Tahar vrea să facă pasul spre Anglia: "Urmează Premier League!"|url=http://www.gsp.ro/fotbal/liga-1/aymen-tahar-vrea-sa-faca-pasul-spre-anglia-urmeaza-premier-league-453076.html|publisher=Gazistul.ro|language=Hungarian|date=3 July 2015|accessdate=6 August 2016}} Aymen played in Sunday League football and his performance caught the attention of Luis Silva, who had a role of helping him join the Sheffield United academy in 2005 where he progressed through the ranks and was a regular in the reserve side up to 2008–2009 season.{{cite web|url=http://www.sufc.co.uk/page/AcademyProfiles/0,,10418~1080219,00.html |title=Aymen Tahar |publisher=Sheffield United F.C. |date=2 January 2008 |accessdate=6 August 2016 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090714131009/http://www.sufc.co.uk/page/AcademyProfiles/0%2C%2C10418~1080219%2C00.html |archivedate=14 July 2009 |url-status=dead }}{{cite news|title=Découverte : Ayman Tahar, Sheffield United à 16 ans ("Jouer au plus haut niveau possible")|url=http://www.dzfoot.com/2006/10/15/decouverte-ayman-tahar-sheffield-united-a-16-ansjouer-au-plus-haut-niveau-possible-5954.php|publisher=DZ Foot Official Website|language=French|date=15 October 2006|accessdate=6 August 2016}} He made his début at the end of February 2009, coming on as a late sub for Lee Hendrie against Hull City in the FA Cup 5th round.{{cite news|title=Hull City 2 – 1 Sheffield United|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/7900070.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|date=26 February 2009|accessdate=6 August 2016}} At the end of the season, Tahar was released by the club.
After leaving Sheffield United, he joined Staveley Miners Welfare and had a successful spell there, having become a key player for the club.
=Playing in Romania=
On 8 February 2012, Tahar joined Romanian club Gaz Metan Mediaș, signing a contract until 2015.{{cite news|title=TAHAR GETS PRO DEAL IN ROMANIA|url=http://nonleague.pitchero.com/news/tahar-gets-pro-deal-in-romania-10876/|publisher=Non League Pitchero|date=8 February 2012|accessdate=6 August 2016}}[http://www.gazistul.ro/2012/02/aymen-tahar-va-semna-cu-gaz-metan.html Aymen Tahar va semna cu Gaz Metan] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120214050518/http://www.gazistul.ro/2012/02/aymen-tahar-va-semna-cu-gaz-metan.html |date=2012-02-14 }}; Gazistul.ro. Retrieved February 20, 2012. Tahar later stated in an interview that he find it difficult to move away from England to Romania at first.{{cite news|title=Aymen Tahar – A Sheffield lad starring in Romania|url=http://www.tibsnews.com/blogs/aymen-tahar-a-sheffield-lad-starring-in-romania/|publisher=TIBS Sports News|date=28 December 2013|accessdate=6 August 2016}}
Tahar made his Gaz Metan Mediaș debut, where he came on as a substitute in the 66th minute, in a 2–0 win over Dinamo București on 3 March 2012.{{cite news|title=VIDEO & FOTO » Dinamo revine pe primul loc în Liga 1 după 2-0 cu Gaz Metan|url= http://www.gsp.ro/fotbal/liga-1/video-foto-dinamo-revine-pe-primul-loc-in-liga-1-dupa-2-0-cu-gaz-metan-311951.html|publisher=Gazistul.ro.|language=Romanian|date=3 March 2012|accessdate=6 August 2016}} After struggling in the first team for the first two seasons at Gaz Metan Mediaș, Tahar began to established himself in the first team and then scored his first Gaz Metan Mediaș goal on 15 September 2013, in a 2–1 win over Brașov,{{cite news|title=VIDEO 9 minute de fotbal, 81 de plictiseală » Tahar a decis partida penibilă dintre Corona şi Gaz Metan, 1-2, cu o superexecuţie|url=http://www.gsp.ro/fotbal/liga-1/video-9-minute-de-fotbal-81-de-plictiseala-tahar-a-decis-partida-penibila-dintre-corona-si-gaz-metan-1-2-cu-o-superexecutie-408622.html|publisher=Gazistul.ro.|language=Romanian|date=15 September 2009|accessdate=6 August 2016}} with his second goal for the club later came on 26 October 2013, in a 3–1 win over Ceahlăul Piatra Neamț.{{cite news|title= VIDEO Dulca bagă gaz! » Dulca mai bifează o victorie cu Gaz Metan: 3-1 cu Ceahlăul|url=http://www.gsp.ro/fotbal/liga-1/video-dulca-baga-gaz-dulca-mai-bifeaza-o-victorie-cu-gaz-metan-3-1-cu-ceahlaul-411887.html|publisher=Gazistul.ro.|language=Romanian|date=27 October 2013|accessdate=6 August 2016}} Tahar later ended the 2013–14 season with 33 appearances and two goals. The 2014–15 season then saw Tahar regained his first team place and started the opening game of the season well when he scored his first goal of the season, in a 3–0 win over Botoșani{{cite news|title=VIDEO şi FOTO Gaz Metan învinge la Botoşani, 3-0, după ce gazdele au jucat în 10 timp de 40 de minute|url=http://www.gsp.ro/fotbal/liga-1/video-si-foto-gaz-metan-invinge-la-botosani-3-0-dupa-ce-gazdele-au-jucat-in-10-timp-de-40-de-minute-431000.html|publisher=Gazistul.ro.|language=Romanian|date=27 July 2014|accessdate=6 August 2016}} Tahar then later added two more goals later in the season against Ceahlăul Piatra Neamț{{cite news|title=VIDEO "Robocop", egalul lui "Messi" » Partidă superbă la Mediaş: Gaz Metan şi Ceahlăul au făcut spectacol: 2-2|url=http://www.gsp.ro/fotbal/liga-b/scor-socant-intr-un-meci-din-liga-secunda-s-au-marcat-mai-multe-goluri-decat-in-prima-etapa-din-liga-1-485301.html|publisher=Gazistul.ro.|language=Romanian|date=27 September 2014|accessdate=6 August 2016}} and Dinamo București.{{cite news|title= FOTO şi VIDEO Ionel Dănciulescu, victorie la debutul în antrenorat! Dinamo cîştigă pe terenul lui Gaz Metan, scor 2-1|url=http://www.gsp.ro/fotbal/liga-1/foto-si-video-ionel-danciulescu-victorie-la-debutul-in-antrenorat-dinamo-cistiga-pe-terenul-lui-gaz-metan-scor-2-1-439015.html|publisher=Gazistul.ro.|language=Romanian|date=21 November 2014|accessdate=6 August 2016}} Tahar went on to finish the season with 30 appearances and three goals, but was unable to help the club survive relegation from Liga I.
On 30 June 2015, Tahar joined Romanian club Steaua București, signing a contract until 30 June 2019.{{cite news|title=Bine ai venit, Aymen Tahar!|url=http://www.steauafc.com/ro/articol/transfer_tahar/|publisher=FC Steaua București|language=Romanian|date=30 June 2015|accessdate=6 August 2016}} Tahar revealed he nearly joined Slovakian side Slovan Bratislava before moving to Steaua București.{{cite news|title=Tahar aproape semnase cu Slovan Bratislava cînd a venit oferta Stelei: "Nu credeam că poate fi adevărat"|url=http://www.gsp.ro/fotbal/liga-1/tahar-aproape-semnase-cu-slovan-bratislava-cind-a-venit-oferta-stelei-nu-credeam-ca-poate-fi-adevarat-453065.html|publisher=Gazistul.ro.|language=Romanian|date=2 July 2015|accessdate=6 August 2016}} Tahar made his Steaua București debut, playing 14 minutes after coming on as a substitute, in a 0–0 draw against Petrolul Ploiești on 11 July 2015.{{cite news|title=FOTO Steaua - Petrolul 0-0 » Debut alb pentru Rădoi în Liga 1|url=http://www.gsp.ro/fotbal/liga-1/foto-steaua-petrolul-0-0-debut-alb-pentru-radoi-in-liga-1-453659.html|publisher=Gazistul.ro.|language=Romanian|date=11 July 2015|accessdate=6 August 2016}} After being left out of the squad in late-August,{{cite news|title=Nu are ce să le facă! Rădoi a schimbat planurile cu Tahar și Tade: îi integrează cu forța!|url=http://www.gsp.ro/fotbal/liga-1/nu-are-ce-sa-le-faca-radoi-a-schimbat-planurile-cu-tahar-si-tade-ii-integreaza-cu-forta-458007.html|publisher=Gazistul.ro.|language=Romanian|date=7 September 2015|accessdate=6 August 2016}} Tahar then regained his first team place and scored his first goal for the club in the Round of 32 of Cupa României, in a 1–0 win over Universitatea Cluj. Weeks later on 3 October 2015, Tahar scored his first league goal for the club, in a 2–1 win over Politehnica Iași.{{cite news|title=Roumanie : Tahar buteur en championnat|url=http://www.dzfoot.com/2015/10/04/roumanie-tahar-buteur-en-championnat-75134.php|publisher=DZ Foot|language=French|date=4 October 2015|accessdate=6 August 2016}} However, under the management of Laurențiu Reghecampf, Tahar soon fell out of favour after his form slumped and was told he can leave the club.{{cite news|title=Steaua poate scăpa de un jucător aflat pe lista neagră » Un club din România pregătește oferta|url=http://www.gsp.ro/fotbal/liga-1/steaua-poate-scapa-de-un-jucator-aflat-pe-lista-neagra-un-club-din-romania-pregateste-oferta-467952.html|publisher=Gazistul.ro.|language=Romanian|date=17 January 2016|accessdate=6 August 2016}}
=Boavista and Sagan Tosu=
No longer wanted at Steaua București, Tahar joined Primeira Liga side Boavista on loan until the end of the season.{{cite news|title=OFICIAL: Boavista anuncia Aymen Tahar (ex-Steaua)|url=http://www.maisfutebol.iol.pt/transferencias/liga/oficial-boavista-anuncia-aymen-tahar-ex-steaua|publisher=Maisfutebol Official Website|language=Portuguese|date=26 January 2016|accessdate=6 August 2016}} Tahar then made his Boavista debut on 7 February 2016, where he played 4 minutes, in a 1–0 win over Paços de Ferreira.{{cite news|title=P. Ferreira-Boavista, 0-1 (crónica)|url=http://www.maisfutebol.iol.pt/liga/pacos-ferreira/p-ferreira-boavista-0-1-cronica|publisher=Maisfutebol Official Website|language=Portuguese|date=7 February 2016|accessdate=6 August 2016}} Then on 11 March 2016, Tahar provided an assist for Zé Manuel to help Boavista win 3–0 against Marítimo.{{cite news|title=Marítimo-Boavista, 0-3 (resultado final)|url=http://www.maisfutebol.iol.pt/liga/11-03-2016/maritimo-boavista-0-3-resultado-final|publisher=Maisfutebol Official Website|language=Portuguese|date=11 March 2016|accessdate=6 August 2016}} Tahar went on to make eleven appearances for Boavista and returned to his parent club. Upon returning to Steaua București, Tahar was told by the club management that he was no longer in the first team.{{cite news|title=Încă o plecare de la Steaua! Poate juca în Serie A|url=http://www.gsp.ro/fotbal/liga-1/inca-o-plecare-de-la-steaua-poate-juca-in-serie-a-482938.html|publisher=Gazistul.ro.|language=Romanian|date=7 July 2016|accessdate=6 August 2016}}
On 4 August 2016, Tahar moved abroad to Asia, where he joined J1 League side Sagan Tosu.{{cite news|title=Sagan Tosu finalize deal with midfielder Tahar|url=http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2016/08/04/soccer/j-league/sagan-tosu-finalize-deal-midfielder-tahar/|publisher=The Japan Times|date=4 August 2016|accessdate=6 August 2016}}
=Returning in Romania=
On 30 January 2017, Tahar returned to Romanian first league team Gaz Metan Mediaș for which he played between 2012 and 2015.{{cite news|title=Marea lovitură pregătită de Negoiţă: Tha'er Bawab s-a înţeles cu Dinamo! Aymen Tahar revine şi el în Liga 1: "L-am luat deja"|url=http://www.prosport.ro/fotbal-intern/liga-1/marea-lovitura-pregatita-de-negoita-tha-er-bawab-s-a-inteles-cu-dinamo-aymen-tahar-revine-si-el-in-liga-1-l-am-luat-deja-16142857}}
International career
In November 2008, Tahar was chosen for the elite training camp for the Algeria U20 team.{{cite news|title=Blades starlet in football's shop window|url=http://www.thestar.co.uk/sport/football/sheffield-united/blades-starlet-in-football-s-shop-window-1-259645|work=The Star|date=18 November 2008|accessdate=6 August 2016}}
Tahar is also eligible to play for England, having been raised in England and receiving a British Citizenship.
Career statistics
{{Updated|match played 10 May 2016}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition | |||||||||||
| rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="2"|League !colspan="2"|National cup !colspan="2"|League cup !colspan="2"|Europe !colspan="2"|Other !colspan=3|Total | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps
!Goals !Apps !Goals !Apps !Goals !Apps !Goals !Apps !Goals !Apps !Goals | |||||||||||
| rowspan="3"|Sheffield United
|0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | 1 | 0 | ||
| 2009–10
|0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | 0 | 0 | ||
| colspan="1"|Total
!0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Ferencváros
|0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | 0 | 0 | |||
| rowspan="3"|Staveley Miners Welfare | |colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | ||||||||
| 2011–12 | |colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | ||||||||
| colspan="1"|Total | !0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||||
| rowspan="5"|Gaz Metan Mediaș
|10 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | 11 | 0 | |||
| 2012–13
|19 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | 19 | 0 | |||
| 2013–14
|33 | 2 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | 34 | 2 | |||
| 2014–15
|30 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | 31 | 3 | ||
| colspan="1"|Total
!92 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 95 | 5 |
| Steaua București
|15 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 24 | 2 |
| Boavista (loan)
|11 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | 11 | 0 | ||||
| colspan="2"|Career total
!117 | 6 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 130 | 7 |
Honours
Steaua București
- League Cup: 2015–16
- Supercupa României runner-up: 2015
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080919095120/http://www.sufc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/AcademyProfiles/0%2C%2C10418~1080219%2C00.html |date=September 19, 2008 |title=Aymen Tahar player profile at sufc.co.uk}}
- {{Soccerbase}}
- {{Soccerway|aymen-tahar/73941}}
- {{RomanianSoccer|2491/aymen-tahar}}
- {{J.League player}}
{{AE Larissa FC squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Tahar, Aymen}}
Category:Footballers from Sheffield
Category:English people of Algerian descent
Category:Algerian men's footballers
Category:Men's association football midfielders
Category:Algeria men's youth international footballers
Category:Primeira Liga players
Category:Super League Greece players
Category:Sheffield United F.C. players
Category:Ferencvárosi TC footballers
Category:Staveley Miners Welfare F.C. players
Category:CS Gaz Metan Mediaș players
Category:Boavista F.C. players
Category:Panetolikos F.C. players
Category:Algerian expatriate men's footballers
Category:Algerian expatriate sportspeople in England
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in England
Category:Algerian expatriate sportspeople in Romania
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Romania
Category:Algerian expatriate sportspeople in Slovakia
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Slovakia
Category:Algerian expatriate sportspeople in Portugal
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Portugal
Category:Algerian expatriate sportspeople in Greece