Idriss Saadi: “I’ll never tire of scoring”

25-year-old Algerian international forward Idriss Saadi yesterday signed a 4-year deal at RC Strasbourg. Born on 8th February 1992 in Valence (southeastern France), the eldest of four brothers and a big fan of the Brazilian Ronaldo, he kicked a football for the first time outside his apartment block in wild, never-ending matches. “The best kind of football there is: free, skilful, instinctive, 100% enjoyment!”, reminisces Idriss emotionally.
At the nearby club of FC Chabeuil, he started out as a right-back. “It didn’t last long, though. I was so drawn to goal that I was quickly put up front”. The goal. The ultimate objective, an obsession. “I only think about one thing: scoring. I’ll never tire of it!”. At ASOA Valence, scoring was something he did often, as he began to attract the attention of recruitment scouts, eventually joining AS Saint-Étienne’s academy at 14 years old. He stood out in the various youth categories, with Les Verts as with Les Bleus (he was a French international from Under-16 to Under-19 level) and, in 2011, he had a prosperous year: as a recognised goalscorer in CFA, he was also team captain in the final of the Coupe Gambardella at the Stade de France (unfortunately losing on penalties to Monaco), before signing his first professional contract.
Having gone on loan to Reims and Gazélec Ajaccio (where he met Thierry Laurey), he was then transferred to Clermont in January 2014. For Idriss, this was the beginning of another prosperous year, one in which he scored on average a goal every other game, but which was sadly interrupted by a ligament tear. After a speedy and successful recovery, he took to the pitch once again, taking part in pre-season with Les Verts before signing for Cardiff City in the Championship. The situation at the Welsh club was difficult for Idriss, but an opening came in the form of a loan to Belgian side KV Kortrijk. There, he earned the nickname “Hulk” on account of his muscles — he would even wear the superhero’s mask to celebrate a goal — and scored 16 goals in 36 matches, playing all but one game in the league that season. This would lead him to his first call-up with the Algerian national team last month against Guinea, a prelude to his arrival at Racing. “I’m really happy to sign for such a club. Strasbourg is part of the history of French football. And for the first time in my career, I feel like I’m entering into a project that goes beyond the football pitch. Everything is set up here: the board’s talk appealed to me, the manager knows me well, the city is beautiful, the fans are passionate… I’m coming with confidence but also with a lot of humility. I’m ready to do my job for the team and to give 100%”.
Idriss Saadi signed his contract on Friday afternoon, before setting off for Colmar to watch his new Strasbourg teammates’ 3–2 win over Sochaux.
[Translated from: http://www.rcstrasbourgalsace.fr/actualites/idriss-saadi-sengage-pour-4-ans-au-rcsa]
