Rafik Djebbour

Rafik Zoheir Djebbour (Arabic: ‫ ;رفيق جبور‬born 8 March 1984) is a retired professional footballer who played as
striker and winger. Born in France, he represented Algeria at international level.

Club career

Auxerre
Born in Grenoble, France, Djebbour was signed to Auxerre's youth academy at the age of 15 in 1998. He was moved to
the senior team in 2003 after spending five years in the youth academy. He made his professional debut at the age of
19.

Louviéroise
His impressive debut season caught the eye of R.A.A. Louviéroise. In his second professional season, he did not live
up to his expectations. Even though he made 21 appearances he only managed to score six goals. Djebbour was
transfer listed by the club at the end of the season, Djebbour mentioned in an interview that he was transfer listed as he
was not happy with the way the club did not support him when his brother had been in a coma for five months, he
stated he was very disappointed with the staff and became disillusioned and felt no attachment to the club.[1] In July
2005, Djebbour signed for Greek outfit Ethnikos Asteras.

Ethnikos Asteras
In his first season in Greece, he scored 11 goals in 21 appearances from September to January. This earned him a move
to Atromitos where he managed six goals until the end of the season.

Atromitos
Djebbour suffered a serious injury in his first season with Atromitos this limited Djebbour to only two appearances
without scoring. In January 2006, Djebbour called upon one of the "big three" of Greece (AEK Athens, Olympiacos,
Panathinaikos) to acquire his services, however this did not happen and he ended up at Panionios.

Panionios
Before signing to Panionios, Djebbour went on trial at English club Watford but was not retained as Aidy Boothroyd
stated "He wasn't what I was looking for".[2] His first six months with Panionios, Djebbour scored four goals in the
remaining 14 games. He would go on to score 15 goals in 27 appearances. In the summer of 2008, AEK Athens
expressed their interest in signing Djebbour. He completed his move to the "Dikefalos-Aetos" on 1 July 2008.

AEK Athens
In 2008, Djebbour transferred to AEK for €3.2 million. Djebbour scored his first goal for AEK in the 93rd minute in
the home 2–1 win against Asteras Tripolis, giving his club the three points. Djebbour got into a fight with teammate
Nacho Scocco in a training ground bust-up. On 30 September 2009, it was reported that Djebbour clashed with AEK
Athens' coach Dusan Bajevic and was not allowed to train with the rest of the season for four months. During his
absence from AEK Athens' training, Djebbour had been training
Rafik Djebbour
with Celtic[3] and Blackburn Rovers.[4] On 7 September 2010,
Djebbour signed a three-year deal keeping at the club until 2013.
Djebbour's contract is worth €3.3 million with a buy-out clause of €7
million.[5]

After signing his contract extension in 2010, he began the 2010

season in great form, scoring 3 goals in three games (2–1 loss to
Kerkyra, 1–0 win against Panserraikos, and a 2–2 draw with Asteras
Tripolis) for the regular season as well as a goal during AEK's 3–1
Europa League win against Hajduk Split.

On 2 January 2011, Djebbour had another clash, this time with

Manolo Jimenez, the current AEK Athens coach. Jimenez reportedly
stressed to Djebbour that he is not allowed to attend the next day
training and that he should instead meet with the chairman of AEK
Athens.[6]

After the incidents with Manolo Jimenez, Djebbour requested Djebbour with Sivasspor in 2013
immediately to be released on a free transfer by AEK. He also Personal information
requested to be paid his remaining wages doubled. Lens and other Full name Rafik Zoheir Djebbour
French teams declared interest in buying him.[7] Djebbour Date of birth 8 March 1984
threatened AEK's board and was ready to seek a solution in court. Place of birth Grenoble, France
Height 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Position(s) Striker, winger
Olympiacos
Youth career
1998–2003 Auxerre
2010–11
Senior career*
On 21 January 2011, Olympiacos bought Djebour from AEK Athens Years Team Apps (Gls)
for €2.3 million. He signed a six-month contract with the club with
2003–2004 Auxerre 14 (2)
the option of renewal for two years. He scored his first goal for
2004–2005 La Louvière 21 (6)
Olympiacos in an away win at Aris after a superb assist of Ariel
2005–2006 Ethnikos Asteras 21 (6)
Ibagaza. That was followed by two goals in a 6–0 home win against
2006 Atromitos 14 (6)
AEK Athens, a goal against PAOK and the winning goal in a 2–1
2006–2008 Panionios 41 (19)
derby win against Panathinaikos. He also scored in a home win 3–1
2008–2011 AEK Athens 58 (22)
against Kavala after an assist of Giannis Maniatis and in the final
2011–2014 Olympiacos 56 (39)
match of the season, against AEL 1964 FC after a superb assist of
2013–2014 → Sivasspor (loan) 10 (2)
Albert Riera.
2014 Nottingham Forest 7 (1)
2014–2015 APOEL 26 (14)
2011–12 2015–2016 AEK Athens 22 (5)
Djebbour scored his first goal of the season with a last-minute 2016–2017 Aris 5 (0)
winner in a thrilling home win 2–1 against Skoda Xanthi. Rafik's 2017–2018 Athlético Marseille 1 (0)
goal of the season came at a home win 2–1 against PAOK with an Total 296 (122)
sublime header after an assist of Kevin Mirallas. His first European International career
goal for Olympiakos came in a Champions League home win (3–1) 2006–2014 Algeria 39 (8)
against Borussia Dortmund. In the domestic league, he scored two *Club domestic league appearances and goals
goals in a 3–0 away win against Panionios. He also scored in a home
win 2–1 against PAOK. He scored a goal in a 2–2 home draw against OFI Crete and a goal in a 1–1 home draw with
Panathinaikos. He also scored in a 2–0 home win against Panetolikos. His second European goal came in a 3–1 home
win against Arsenal in a Champions League home game. He also scored a goal in a 2–0 home win against PAS
Giannina.
Djebbour scored a goal in a 7–2 home win against Asteras Tripoli. His third European goal of the season came in a 1–0
home win against Rubin Kazan in the Europa League. He also scored two goals in a 4–0 away win against PAS
Giannina. Djebbour also scored in the Greek Cup Final in Olympiacos' win 2–1 against Atromitos.

In all competitions, Djebbour made 31 appearances, scoring 12 goals in the Greek Superleague and 16 goals in all
competitions.

2012–13
Djebbour started the season with a goal in a 2–1 away win against Veria after an assist from José Holebas. He next
scored two goals in a 4–0 home win against Levadiakos after assist of Djamel Abdoun. His next goal came in a 2–1
away win against PAS Giannina. At this match he made the assist to Kostas Mitroglou to score the second goal. He also
scored two goals in a 4–1 home win against Panthrakikos after two assists of Abdoun and Ibagaza. He next scored two
goals in a 4–0 home win against Skoda Xanthi. As a result of his outstanding performances the club offered Djebbour a
better contract extension. He also scored in a 1–1 away draw against PAOK. The next goal came in a 2–0 home win
against Panachaiki, with a wonderful header at a Greek Cup match. He next scored two goals in an away draw 2–2 at
the classical Greek derby against Panathinaikos after two assists of Abdoun and David Fuster. These goals marked his
4th goal in the classic derby Olympiacos–Panathinaikos with Olympiacos team. He scored 10 goals against
Panathinaikos at his charge at Greece and he intrigued illustrious European football clubs such as Olympique de
Marseille. His next goal came in an away win 2–1 against Panionios after an assist of Kostas Mitroglou.

Djebbour finished the first half of Greek Superleague with 12 goals in 11 appearances.

At January transfer window Djebbour renew his contract with Olympiacos until 2016.

The second half of Greek Superleague begins with a goal in a 3–0 home win against Veria with a penalty shot. With
this goal has already surpass his previous record with Olympiacos of 12 goals in Greek Superleague. He scored his
next goal against Levadiakos in a 1–0 away win at the last minute of the game with a wonderful header, after an assist
of Juan Pablo Pino. His next goal came in a home win 2–0 against Pas Giannina. With this goal he equaled his previous
(last year) record of 16 goals in all competitions with the Olympiacos' shirt and his previous record of 15 goals at
Greek Superleague with the Panionios shirt. His next goal came in a 3–2 home loss against Atromitos after an assist of
Mitroglou. His next goal came in an away win 2–0 against Skoda Xanthi. With this goal he reached 18 goals in all
competitions and broke his previous record of 17 goals in all competitions with Panionios shirt. His next goal came in a
home win 2–1 against Aris after an assist from Holebas.

He next scores two goals in an away win 4–0 against OFI after an assist of Abdoun. With these two goals he reached 20
goals at 20 performances at Greek Superleague. At a home win against AEK Athens Djebbour did not score a goal but
gave two assists to Abdoun and Avraam Papadopoulos. With that win Olympiacos claimed the 40th championship in its
history. Djebbour made the assist to Mitroglou at a home draw 1–1 against Panathinaikos at the classical Greek derby.

He ended the season at Greek Superleague being the top scorer, scoring 20 goals in 24 appearances.

Loan to Sivasspor
On 6 September 2013, Djebbour joined Süper Lig club Sivasspor on a season-long loan deal from Olympiacos, after
the interest of the coach of the club, Roberto Carlos.[8] He played 13 games with the club in all competitions and
scored 4 goals.

Nottingham Forest
Djebbour joined Nottingham Forest on 29 January 2014 for €1.5 million, initially on loan with the deal becoming
permanent at the end of the season.[9] Despite a debut goal, Djebbour, along with countryman Djamel Abdoun, was
dropped by caretaker manager Gary Brazil due to a perceived lack of effort in training and bad attitude.[10]
At the end of the season, Forest believed they could cancel the permanent transfer with his club Olympiacos, but were
unable to. On 15 July 2014, it was confirmed Djebbour and Forest had reached an agreement to terminate his
contract.[11]

APOEL
On 5 August 2014, Djebbour signed a one-year contract with APOEL from Cyprus.[12] He made his debut against
Aalborg BK at GSP Stadium on 26 August 2014, in APOEL's 4–0 victory in the play-off round of the 2014–15 UEFA
Champions League.[13] Djebbour also appeared in five group stage matches.[14] He scored his first goal for APOEL on
6 October 2014, netting the winner in his teams's 2–1 comeback win against Othellos in the Cypriot First Division.[15]
The next matchday, he scored for a second consecutive league match, netting again the winner in APOEL's 1–0 home
win against Nea Salamina.[16] On 15 December 2014, he scored twice in a 4–4 home draw against AEK Larnaca.[17]
On 11 March 2015, Djebbour came on as a 62nd-minute substitute and scored twice in APOEL's 2–0 home victory
against Anorthosis in the quarter-finals of the Cypriot Cup.[18] On 14 March 2015, he scored the equalizer in APOEL's
1–1 away draw against arch rivals Omonia in the First Division play-offs.[19] On 2 May 2015, Djebbour scored a
stoppage-time winner to give APOEL a dramatic 3–2 win against Omonia and helped his team to move five points
clear at the top of the table, just three matches before the end.[20] On 24 May 2015, Djebbour scored twice in the 4–2
victory against Ermis Aradippou and celebrated the double, as his team secured their third consecutive league
title.[21][22]

Return to AEK
On 17 June 2015, Djebbour signed a one-year contract with the option of a further season with AEK Athens, returning
to his former club after four years.[23]

He missed the start of the season and started training in November.[24]

On 6 December 2015, in a home win against Kalloni F.C., he scored his first goal with AEK Athens after his return. At
the semi-final of the Greek Cup against Atromitos he equalized an Eduardo Brito goal, by coming from the bench,
helping the club to advance in the final targeting its first title after five years.[25] On 17 May 2016, Djebbour scored to
help his club win 2–1 against champions Olympiacos in the cup final at the Olympic Stadium of Athens and won the
title for 15th time in their history.[26]

Aris
On 7 September 2016 Djebour made the move to Aris on a 3-year contract.[27] On 6 November 2016, the Algerian
striker had a beef with his team's fans after disappointing home draw (1–1) against Aiginiakos F.C. at Thessaloniki. Οn
18 July 2017, the administration of Aris has decided to terminate the contract of experienced Algerian striker Rafik
Zoheir Djebbour, a year after his signing.

Later years
On 3 October 2017 Djebbour signed a contract with GS Consolat, a team that plays at the Championnat National,
making his return to France after 12 years.

International career
He made his debut with the Algeria in an unofficial friendly game against Istres in August 2006 and his first official
game was the following day against Gabon, which Algeria lost 0–2. He scored his first international goal against
Liberia on 6 June 2008. He played a key role in Algeria's winning campaign to qualify for the 2010 FIFA World Cup
and scored a crucial goal in Algeria's 3–1 victory over Egypt in June 2009. He also played at the 2010 FIFA World Cup
in South Africa but failed to score.

Career statistics

Club

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition[28]

League
League Cup Europe Total
Club Season Cup[a]
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals

La 2004– Belgian Pro

21 6 2 1 — — 23 7
Louvière 05 League

Ethnikos 2005–
Beta Ethniki 21 11 2 1 — — 23 12
Asteras 06
2005–
12 6 0 0 — — 12 6
06 Super League
Atromitos 2006– Greece
2 0 0 0 — — 2 0
07

Total 14 6 0 0 — — 14 6
2006–
14 4 0 0 — — 14 4
07 Super League
Panionios 2007– Greece
27 15 0 0 — 6 2 33 17
08

Total 41 19 0 0 — 6 2 47 21
2008–
28 8 7 2 — 0 0 35 10
09

2009– Super League

AEK 19 6 0 0 — 1 0 20 6
10 Greece
Athens
2010–
11 5 2 1 — 6 2 19 8
11
Total 58 22 9 3 — 7 2 74 24

2010–
10 7 1 0 — 0 0 11 7
11

2011– Super League

21 12 3 1 — 10 3 34 16
Olympiacos 12 Greece
2012–
25 20 5 2 — 6 0 36 22
13

Total 56 39 9 3 — 16 3 81 45

Sivasspor 2013–
Süper Lig 10 2 3 2 — — 13 4
(loan) 14
Nottingham 2013–
Championship 7 1 1 0 0 0 — 8 1
Forest 14

2014– Cypriot First

APOEL 26 14 6 3 — 6 0 38 17
15 Division

AEK 2015– Super League

22 2 9 3 — — 31 5
Athens 16 Greece
 Football
2016–
Aris League 5 0 0 0 — — 5 0
17
Greece
Athlético 2017– Championnat
1 0 0 0 — — 1 0
Marseille 18 National

Career total 282 122 41 16 0 0 35 7 358 142

a. Includes Cypriot Super Cup matches.

International

Appearances and goals by national team

and year[29]
National team Year Apps Goals
2006 1 0

2007 0 0

2008 6 1
2009 6 2

Algeria 2010 8 1
2011 3 0

2012 4 1

2013 5 0
2014 1 0

Total 33 5

Scores and results list Algeria's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Djebbour goal.

List of international goals scored by Rafik Djebbour

No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition

2008-06- Stade Mustapha Tchaker, Blida, 2010 FIFA World Cup
1 Liberia 1–0 3–0
06 Algeria qualification

2009-06- Stade Mustapha Tchaker, Blida, 2010 FIFA World Cup

2 Egypt 3–0 3–1
07 Algeria qualification

2009-08-
3 Stade 5 Juillet 1962, Algiers, Algeria Uruguay 1–0 1–0 Friendly
12
2010-08-
4 Stade 5 Juillet 1962, Algiers, Algeria Gabon 1–2 1–2 Friendly
11

2012-05- Stade Mustapha Tchaker, Blida,

5 Niger 2–0 3–0 Friendly
26 Algeria

Honours
Olympiacos

Super League Greece: 2010–11, 2011–12, 2012–13

Greek Cup: 2011–12, 2012–13
APOEL

Cypriot First Division: 2014–15

Cypriot Cup: 2014–15
AEK Athens

Greek Cup: 2015–16

Individual

Super League Greece Golden Boot: 2012–13 (20 goals)

References
1. "Interview Rafik Djebbour : "Beaucoup de gros clubs grecs m'ont contactι"(je supporte le MCA et l'ASO)"
(https://archive.today/20120729223341/http://www.dzfoot.com/article-877.php). Dzfoot.Com. Archived
from the original (http://www.dzfoot.com/article-877.php) on 29 July 2012. Retrieved 24 December 2012.
2. Affleck, Kevin (22 December 2006). "No move for Polish striker (From Watford Observer)" (http://www.w
atfordobserver.co.uk/sport/1087559.no_move_for_polish_striker/). Watfordobserver.co.uk. Retrieved
24 December 2012.
3. "Bhoys consider striker" (http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11787_5593472,00.html). Sky Sports.
Retrieved 7 February 2018.
4. Djebbour trains with Rovers (https://archive.today/20120719012039/http://msnsport.skysports.com/story/
0,19528,11676_5640363,00.html) SkySports.com, 20 October 2009
5. "Djebbour signs new 3-year deal (GR)" (https://web.archive.org/web/20100910231604/http://www.aekfc.
gr/index.asp?a_id=1355&n_id=6159). aekfc.gr. 31 August 2010. Archived from the original (http://www.a
ekfc.gr/index.asp?a_id=1355&n_id=6159) on 10 September 2010.
6. "Στην πόρτα της εξόδου ο Τζιμπούρ" (http://contra.gr/Soccer/Hellas/Superleague/AEK/303613.html).
Contra.gr. Retrieved 7 February 2018.
7. "Djebbour-Jimenez, La grande explication | équipe nationale | Algerie360.com | Information et Actualité
sur l'Algérie" (https://www.algerie360.com/djebbour-jimenezla-grande-explication/). Algerie360.com.
Retrieved 24 December 2012.
8. "Rafik Djebbour ve Aydın Karabulut Sivasspor'da" (https://web.archive.org/web/20130908224201/http://
www.sivasspor.org.tr/tr/haber/rafik-djebbour-ve-aydin-karabulut-sivasspor-da). Sivasspor (in Turkish). 6
September 2013. Archived from the original (http://www.sivasspor.org.tr/tr/haber/rafik-djebbour-ve-aydin-
karabulut-sivasspor-da#.UjbPQMakpw4) on 8 September 2013. Retrieved 11 August 2023.
9. "Transfer window: Nottingham Forest sign Rafik Djebbour" (https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/2591160
2). BBC Sport. 2014. Retrieved 7 February 2018.
10. "Transfer news: Djamel Abdoun and Rafik Djebbour to leave Nottingham Forest" (http://www1.skysports.
com/news/11727/9377853/transfer-news-djamel-abdoun-and-rafik-djebbour-to-leave-nottingham-forest).
Sky Sports. Retrieved 7 February 2018.
11. "Striker Leaves Forest" (http://www.nottinghamforest.co.uk/news/article/striker-leaves-forest-1760659.as
px). Retrieved 7 February 2018.
12. "Σύναψη συμφωνίας με Rafik Djebbour" (http://www.apoelfc.com.cy/nqcontent.cfm?a_id=11771&tt=grap
hic&lang=l1) (in Greek). apoelfc.com.cy. 5 August 2014. Retrieved 5 August 2014.
13. "APOEL ease past AaB and into group stage" (http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/season=201
5/matches/round=2000547/match=2014209/postmatch/report/index.html). UEFA. 26 August 2014.
Retrieved 26 August 2014.
14. "APOEL FC Squad" (http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/season=2015/clubs/club=50118/squad/
index.html). UEFA. 12 December 2014. Retrieved 12 December 2014.
15. ΟΘΕΛΛΟΣ ΑΘΗΑΙΝΟΥ 1-2 ΑΠΟΕΛ (http://apoelfc.com.cy/nqcontent.cfm?a_id=12136&tt=graphic&lang=
l1) (in Greek). apoelfc.com.cy. 6 October 2014. Retrieved 6 October 2014.
16. ΑΠΟΕΛ 1-0 Ν. ΣΑΛΑΜΙΝΑ (http://www.apoelfc.com.cy/nqcontent.cfm?a_id=12209&tt=graphic&lang=l1)
(in Greek). apoelfc.com.cy. 26 October 2014. Retrieved 26 October 2014.
17. ΑΠΟΕΛ 4-4 ΑΕΚ (http://www.apoelfc.com.cy/nqcontent.cfm?a_id=12421&tt=graphic&lang=l1) [APOEL
4-4 AEK] (in Greek). APOEL FC. 15 December 2014. Retrieved 15 December 2014.
18. ΑΠΟΕΛ 2-0 Ανόρθωση Αμμοχώστου (http://apoelfc.com.cy/nqcontent.cfm?a_id=12772&tt=graphic&lang
=l1) [APOEL 2-0 Anorthosis Famagusta] (in Greek). APOEL FC. 11 March 2015. Retrieved 11 March
2015.
19. Ομόνοια Λευκωσίας 1-1 ΑΠΟΕΛ (http://apoelfc.com.cy/nqcontent.cfm?a_id=12784&tt=graphic&lang=l1)
[Omonia Nicosia 1-1 APOEL] (in Greek). APOEL FC. 14 March 2015. Retrieved 14 March 2015.
20. ΑΠΟΕΛ 3-2 Ομόνοια Λευκωσίας (http://apoelfc.com.cy/nqcontent.cfm?a_id=13014&tt=graphic&lang=l1)
[APOEL 3-2 Omonia Nicosia] (in Greek). APOEL FC. 2 May 2015. Retrieved 2 May 2015.
21. Ερμής Αραδίππου 2-4 ΑΠΟΕΛ (http://apoelfc.com.cy/nqcontent.cfm?a_id=13104&tt=graphic&lang=l1)
[Ermis Aradippou 2-4 APOEL] (in Greek). APOEL FC. 24 May 2015. Retrieved 24 May 2015.
22. "APOEL secure league to wrap up Cypriot double" (http://www.uefa.com/memberassociations/associatio
n=cyp/news/newsid=2251216.html). UEFA.com. 24 May 2015. Retrieved 24 May 2015.
23. "AEK clinch Djebbour deal" (http://www.sdna.gr/gr/news-in-english/arthro-news-in-english/45499/aek-clin
ch-djebbour-deal/). www.sdna.gr. 17 June 2015.
24. "Djebbour set for AEK return" (http://www.sdna.gr/news-english/article/131785/djebbour-set-aek-return).
www.sdna.gr. 4 November 2015.
25. "AEK advanced to Greek Cup's final" (http://www.sdna.gr/news-english/article/194664/aek-advanced-gre
ek-cups-final). www.sdna.gr. 26 April 2016.
26. "AEK beat Olympiakos and win the Greek Cup for 15th time" (http://www.sdna.gr/news-english/article/20
1606/aek-beat-olympiakos-and-win-greek-cup-15th-time-vids). www.sdna.gr. 17 May 2016. Retrieved
17 May 2016.
27. "Οριστικό: Ο Τζεμπούρ στον Άρη για τρία χρόνια!" (http://www.sport24.gr/football/omades/Aris/oristiko-o-
tzempour-ston-arh-gia-tria-xronia.4253119.html) (in Greek). www.sport24.gr. Retrieved 8 September
2016.
28. "Rafik Djebbour" (https://int.soccerway.com/players/rafik-djebbour/18816/). Soccerway. Retrieved
1 August 2014.
29. Rafik Djebbour (https://www.national-football-teams.com/player/16621.html) at National-Football-
Teams.com

External links
APOEL official profile (http://www.apoelfc.com.cy/nqcontent.cfm?a_name=team_1&playerid=118&lang=l
2)
Rafik Djebbour (https://int.soccerway.com/players/rafik-djebbour/18816/) at Soccerway
Greek Superleague official profile and stats (https://web.archive.org/web/20130928203333/http://www.su
perleaguegreece.net/eng/player/110)
Profile at UEFA.com (http://www.uefa.com/teamsandplayers/players/player=66118/profile/index.html)

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