AS Saint-Étienne has formalized the recruitment of Moroccan central defender Yunis Abdelhamid. The 36-year-old, free from any contract after his departure from Stade de Reims, has signed up for one season with the Greens plus another as an option. All that is missing is the medical examination to complete this file.
Abdelhamid, an experienced left-footer, will bring his solidity and leadership to a Saint-Etienne defense that struggled last season. He has played more than 400 professional games during his career, including 254 with Stade de Reims. At 36, this is probably his last contract and he will be keen to assert himself. This reinforcement is the first of the Kilmer era, the new shareholder of the Greens. It is important to stabilize a defensive line that was sometimes tender last season.
A major reinforcement for the Greens
The arrival of Abdelhamid marks a new stage in the strategy to strengthen AS Saint-Étienne. Known for his tactical acumen and experience, the Moroccan defender is expected to play a key role in the team’s rebuilding. Saint-Etienne remains one of the most successful clubs in France with 10 French championships where very talented players such as Salif Keïta, Rachid Mekloufi and Michel Platini have played.
AS Saint-Étienne does not have a great tradition of integrating Moroccan talents into its squad. However, among the notable players, we can mention Osama Tannane and Mohammed Chaouch. But on the other hand, in the team that participated this season in the promotion to Ligue 1, Morocco is particularly well represented with Aïmen Moueffek, Benjamin Bouchouari and Mahmoud Bentayg.
These players have each made their unique contribution to AS Saint-Étienne in the race to the rise will undoubtedly facilitate the integration of Yunis Abdelhamid and all four will wear the Stéphanois jersey proudly to represent Morocco in the Cauldron by Geoffroy Guichard.
