| Allan Saint-Maximin | |
| Full Name: | Allan Irénée Saint-Maximin[1] |
| Birth Date: | 12 March 1997[2] |
| Birth Place: | Châtenay-Malabry, France |
| Height: | 1.73 m[3] |
| Position: | Winger |
| Currentclub: | Fenerbahçe (on loan from Al-Ahli) |
| Clubnumber: | 97 |
| Youthyears1: | 2003–2004 |
| Youthclubs1: | Verrières-le-Buisson |
| Youthyears2: | 2004–2007 |
| Youthclubs2: | US Ris-Orangis |
| Youthyears3: | 2007–2011 |
| Youthclubs3: | Boulogne-Billancourt |
| Youthyears4: | 2011–2013 |
| Youthclubs4: | Saint-Étienne |
| Years1: | 2013–2015 |
| Clubs1: | Saint-Étienne II |
| Caps1: | 22 |
| Goals1: | 7 |
| Years2: | 2013–2015 |
| Clubs2: | Saint-Étienne |
| Caps2: | 12 |
| Goals2: | 0 |
| Years3: | 2015–2017 |
| Clubs3: | Monaco |
| Caps3: | 1 |
| Goals3: | 0 |
| Years4: | 2015–2016 |
| Clubs4: | → Hannover 96 (loan) |
| Caps4: | 16 |
| Goals4: | 1 |
| Years5: | 2016–2017 |
| Clubs5: | → Bastia (loan) |
| Caps5: | 34 |
| Goals5: | 3 |
| Years6: | 2017–2019 |
| Clubs6: | Nice |
| Caps6: | 64 |
| Goals6: | 9 |
| Years7: | 2019–2023 |
| Clubs7: | Newcastle United |
| Caps7: | 111 |
| Goals7: | 12 |
| Years8: | 2023– |
| Clubs8: | Al-Ahli |
| Caps8: | 30 |
| Goals8: | 4 |
| Years9: | 2024– |
| Clubs9: | → Fenerbahçe (loan) |
| Caps9: | 2 |
| Goals9: | 0 |
| Nationalyears1: | 2013 |
| Nationalteam1: | France U16 |
| Nationalcaps1: | 11 |
| Nationalgoals1: | 3 |
| Nationalyears2: | 2013–2014 |
| Nationalteam2: | France U17 |
| Nationalcaps2: | 7 |
| Nationalgoals2: | 4 |
| Nationalyears3: | 2016–2017 |
| Nationalteam3: | France U20 |
| Nationalcaps3: | 7 |
| Nationalgoals3: | 2 |
| Nationalyears4: | 2017–2019 |
| Nationalteam4: | France U21 |
| Nationalcaps4: | 7 |
| Nationalgoals4: | 0 |
| Club-Update: | 23:10, 17 August 2024 (UTC) |
Allan Irénée Saint-Maximin (born 12 March 1997) is a French professional footballer who plays as a winger for Süper Lig club Fenerbahçe, on loan from Saudi Pro League club Al-Ahli. He previously played for Saint-Étienne, Monaco, Nice and Newcastle United. He is mainly known for his flamboyant style of play.
Saint-Maximin was born on 12 March 1997 in Châtenay-Malabry, a commune in the southwestern suburbs of Paris.[4] [5] [6] The youngest of three children, his father, Alex, hailed from the Caribbean island of Guadeloupe and his mother, Nadege, was born in French Guiana in South America.[6] At the time of his birth, his family resided in the town of Meudon where Saint-Maximin grew up playing football, mainly on the streets with his friends or on the pitch in Ris-Orangis whilst his parents work; his father worked at Paris Diderot University and his mother stayed late as director of a school in Meudon.[6] [7] From an early age, Saint-Maximin learnt to speak English, as encouraged by his mother, in order to achieve his dream of playing in the Premier League.[6]
Growing up in a comfortable Christian home, Saint-Maximin, in his early school years, was given €10 by his mother every day, which he used to buy sweets for his school friends who could not afford such luxury – a sign of his early generosity.[7] [8] He took a liking towards Karate Kid, tennis and manga, all of whom were significant influences on his trademark headband.[9] In football, Saint-Maximin joined his first club, TU Verrieres-le-Buisson, where he briefly played for a few months before joining US Ris-Orangis with his older brother, Kurtys.[6] [10]
Under coach Didier Demonchy, Saint-Maximin trained with older kids despite being five years old during his time in Ris-Orangis. Demonchy recalled his talents, stating, "His talent was innate,” adding, “Usually, five-year-olds make mistakes or fall over. Not Allan. He was doing everything right and nothing was random."[6] Saint-Maximin would spend three years at the club before making a move to AC Boulogne-Billancourt, where he attracted attention from various scouts in France.[11] He was noted for his early talent and precociousness leading him to sign for Saint-Étienne in 2011, after being picked up by a scout who saw him play at a U13 tournament in Meudon.[6] Another offer came in with Paris club Paris Saint-Germain, which included a house for his parents and a big signing bonus of more than €100,000, but was later rejected by Saint-Maximin, who had already committed to Saint-Étienne.[12] [13] At the age of 14, Saint-Maximin left Paris and moved permanently to Saint-Etienne, where he was looked after by Paul and Nicole Cavallero.[6]
Impressing in the youth ranks,[11] Saint-Maximin signed his first professional contract with Saint-Étienne on 1 July 2013.[14] At the age of 16 years, 5 months, and 17 days, he made his club debut on 29 August as a substitute in a Europa League play-off match, coming on for Franck Tabanou before his side suffered a 1–0 loss to Esbjerg fB at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard.[15] His debut made him the third youngest player for Saint-Étienne after Laurent Roussey (16 years and 2 months) and Laurent Paganelli (15 years, 10 months and 3 days).[16] [17] Three days later, Saint-Maximin made his Ligue 1 debut at home in a 2–1 win against Bordeaux,[18] becoming one of the youngest players to debut in the league.[19] In his first season with the club, he played 138 minutes in 5 games under Christophe Galtier.[20] [21]
On 7 February 2015, Saint-Maximin extended his contract to June 2019 with Saint-Étienne, having been promised more playing time.[22] However, having managed only 16 league appearances, along with Championnat National appearances with the second team,[23] Saint-Maximin sought to leave the club, feeling unwanted due to his limited opportunities with the first team.[24] In an interview with France Football he discussed on his departure, stating, "I did everything to impose myself in Sainté with good matches against OM, Bordeaux and Lille. Afterwards, I alternated between the CFA and the stands. At first, I thought I was learning the trade, and then it became exhausting."[25] [26] Saint-Maximin made 11 appearances for the club, which included 9 Ligue 1 and 2 Europa League appearances during the 2014–15 season.[27]
On 31 July 2015, Saint-Maximin joined Monaco, signing a five-year contract after completing a €5 million transfer fee.[28] [29] He was immediately loaned to German club Hannover 96 the same day,[30] already present in his first training session with the club that morning.[31] The next day, Saint-Maximin made his unofficial debut at HDI Arena in a 1–0 exhibition loss to Sunderland,[32] a week prior to Hannover's DFB-Pokal fixture against Hessen Kassel, where he made his competitive debut.[33] Following his club bow, Saint-Maximin was benched in the season opener against Darmstadt 98 on 15 August,[34] making his league debut a week later, whilst utilised as an attacking midfielder, in a 1–0 home defeat to Bayer Leverkusen.[35] He scored his first goal for the club on 5 December in a 3–1 defeat to Schalke at Arena AufSchalke.[36] Eight days later, he earnt his first start for Hannover in the league match against Hoffenheim where his side lost 1–0.[37]
In January 2016, during the mid-season break, Saint-Maximin would miss 96's friendly matches in Belek, Turkey, to be with his pregnant wife who was expecting their first child.[38] Saint-Maximin would register 16 league appearances with 1 goal during the season.[39] However, an incident cut his loan short. In April, Saint-Maximin was involved in a car accident that collided with a tram, injuring 1 person then presented a fake driving license, leading to an investigation on suspicion of forgery, driving without a license and negligent bodily harm.[40] [41] As a result, he was dropped from the squad under Daniel Stendel, not making a single appearance until his return to France.[42] By the end of the season, Hannover was relegated to the 2. Bundesliga after finishing bottom and ending their 14 years in the top flight of Germany.[43]
On 28 July 2016, Saint-Maximin was sent on loan to Ligue 1 club Bastia for a season.[44] He scored his first goal for the club in a 3–0 win over Lorient on 20 August.[45] [46] Saint-Maximin didn't score again until on 10 December, netting a brace in Bastia's 2–0 league victory against Metz, ending their 10 game winless streak.[47] [48] In January 2017, Saint-Maximin's number was changed from 6 to 10, following Lyes Houri loan exit to Roda.[49] He proved to be one of the best attackers for Bastia, with 3 goals and 3 assists, despite his side finishing bottom of the league at the end of the season.[50] He played in the final league game for the club on 20 May 2017, after being granted permission from the French Football Federation (FFF) before his call-up to the France U20 squad,[51] in a 1–0 defeat to Marseille at Stade Vélodrome.[52]
On his return to Monaco, Saint-Maximin showed promising form in preseason, scoring 1 goal and adding 2 assists in 4 matches for the club. However, a stacked attacking depth containing Kylian Mbappé, Rony Lopes and Thomas Lemar, meant he could expect scarce playing time.[53] Despite this, he opened to the media, stating that he is "ready to play for Monaco from next season."[54] Saint-Maximin made his debut for the club in the 2017 Trophée des Champions against Paris SG, replacing Mbappé in 77th-minute of a 2–1 loss at Ibn Batouta Stadium.[55] He made his Ligue 1 debut on 4 August, once again, replacing Mbappé who had suffered a knee injury in the 75th-minute of a 3–2 home win over Toulouse.[56] It would be his final appearance for the club before his departure three days later.[57]
On 7 August 2017, Saint-Maximin completed a move, as a club-record signing, to Côte d'Azur rival Nice for a reported transfer fee of €10 million.[58] [59]
On 2 August 2019, Saint-Maximin joined Premier League side Newcastle United on a six-year contract.[60] He made his debut nine days later in Newcastle's defeat to Arsenal on the opening day of the Premier League season.[61] On 5 December, Saint-Maximin scored his first goal for the club in a 2–0 win against Sheffield United.[62] His second goal came two months later in the fourth round of the FA Cup against League One opposition Oxford United, scoring a late winner after a solo run.[63]
The Frenchman also scored the winning goal in Newcastle's 1–0 win at Southampton in a Premier League match on 7 March 2020.[64] On 1 July, Saint-Maximin provided three assists in the Magpies' 4–1 win over AFC Bournemouth.[65]
On 30 July 2023, Saint-Maximin signed a three-year contract for Saudi Professional League club Al Ahli for a transfer fee reported to be around £23 million.[66] [67] On 16 September, he scored his first goal at the club, by netting the winner in a 3–2 victory over Al Taawoun.[68]
On 16 July 2024, Maximin joined Turkish side Fenerbahçe on loan for the 2024–25 season.[69]
Saint-Maximin has three children.[70]
He is close friends with Marcus Thuram, who he had befriended during his time at AC Boulogne-Billancourt.[71]
| Season | League | National cup | League cup | Continental | Other | Total | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | |||
| Saint-Étienne II | 2013–14 | CFA 2 | 15 | 5 | — | — | — | — | 15 | 5 | |||||
| 2014–15 | CFA | 7 | 2 | — | — | — | — | 7 | 2 | ||||||
| Total | 22 | 7 | — | — | — | — | 22 | 7 | |||||||
| Saint-Étienne | 2013–14 | Ligue 1 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 5 | 0 | ||
| 2014–15 | Ligue 1 | 9 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 12 | 0 | |||
| Total | 12 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | 17 | 0 | ||||
| Hannover 96 (loan) | 2015–16 | Bundesliga | 16 | 1 | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | 18 | 1 | ||||
| Bastia (loan) | 2016–17 | Ligue 1 | 34 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 36 | 3 | |||
| Monaco | 2017–18 | Ligue 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |
| Nice | 2017–18 | Ligue 1 | 30 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 2 | — | 38 | 5 | ||
| 2018–19 | Ligue 1 | 34 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 36 | 6 | ||||
| Total | 64 | 9 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 2 | — | 74 | 11 | ||||
| Newcastle United | 2019–20 | Premier League | 26 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 30 | 4 | |||
| 2020–21 | Premier League | 25 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 26 | 3 | ||||
| 2021–22 | Premier League | 35 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 37 | 5 | ||||
| 2022–23 | Premier League | 25 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | — | — | 31 | 1 | ||||
| Total | 111 | 12 | 5 | 1 | 8 | 0 | — | — | 124 | 13 | |||||
| Al-Ahli | 2023–24 | Saudi Pro League | 30 | 4 | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 31 | 4 | ||||
| Fenerbahçe (loan) | 2024–25 | Süper Lig | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 2 | 0 | — | 4 | 0 | |||
| Career total | 292 | 36 | 15 | 1 | 10 | 0 | 10 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 328 | 39 | |||
Newcastle United
Individual
August 2022[73]
2021[74]