Hicham Acheffay Explained

Hicham Acheffay
Birth Date:10 August 2000
Birth Place:Amsterdam-Oost, Netherlands
Height:1.69 m
Position:Forward
Currentclub:Den Bosch
Clubnumber:20
Youthyears1:2006–2008
Youthclubs1:Zeeburgia
Youthyears2:2008–2010
Youthclubs2:Ajax
Youthyears3:2010–2014
Youthclubs3:Zeeburgia
Youthyears4:2014–2016
Youthclubs4:Volendam
Youthyears5:2016–2018
Youthclubs5:Vitesse
Years1:2017–2019
Clubs1:Jong Vitesse
Caps1:39
Goals1:12
Years2:2019–2021
Clubs2:Jong FC Utrecht
Caps2:46
Goals2:10
Years3:2021
Clubs3:Grasshoppers
Caps3:2
Goals3:0
Years4:2021
Clubs4:Grasshoppers II
Caps4:2
Goals4:0
Years5:2021–2023
Clubs5:De Graafschap
Caps5:34
Goals5:2
Years6:2023
Clubs6:PEC Zwolle
Caps6:5
Goals6:0
Years7:2024–
Clubs7:Den Bosch
Caps7:2
Goals7:1
Club-Update:21:24, 16 August 2024 (UTC)

Hicham Acheffay (born 10 August 2000) is a Dutch professional footballer who plays as a forward for club Den Bosch.

Acheffay began his youth career in Amsterdam, playing for various clubs including Zeeburgia and Ajax, before joining Vitesse's youth academy. He made his professional debut with Jong Utrecht in 2019 before signing with Grasshoppers in 2021. After stints with De Graafschap and PEC Zwolle, he joined Den Bosch in 2024.

Career

Early career

Growing up in Amsterdam-Oost, Acheffay played youth football for Zeeburgia, Ajax, Zeeburgia again, FC Volendam and Vitesse. From 2017 to 2019, he was part of Jong Vitesse, the second team of the Vitesse. In the 2016–17 season, he suffered relegation with the team from the Tweede Divisie to the Derde Divisie,[1] only to win promotion as champions again the following season.[2]

After the 2018–19 season, Jong Vitesse withdrew from the league system and in the summer of 2019, free agent Acheffay signed with Jong Utrecht on a deal until July 2022, with an option for an extra year.[3] [4] He made his professional debut with the second team 10 August 2019 in a 2–0 loss in the Eerste Divisie against Excelsior. He came on as a substitute for Eros Maddy in the 77th minute.[5]

Grasshoppers

On 20 January 2021, Acheffay signed a one-and-a-half-year contract with Grasshoppers, the most successful club in Swiss football history who had suffered relegated to the second-tier Challenge League in 2019.[6] [7] Although he became part of the title-winning team, his contribution on the pitch was very limited with two short substitutions.[8] Acheffay's contract was terminated prematurely and he appeared at a trial with VVV-Venlo on 28 June 2021 at VVV-Venlo,[9] but this did not result in a permanent deal.[10]

De Graafschap

In July 2021, Acheffay signed a two-year contract with an option for an additional year with De Graafschap.[11] He made his debut on 7 August in a 3–0 home loss to Roda JC Kerkrade, coming on as a substitute for Giovanni Korte in the 72nd minute.[12] Mostly coming on from the bench during the start of the season, Acheffay quickly developed into a starter during the fall of the 2021–22 season.[13]

Acheffay scored his first goal for De Graafschap on 28 October 2022,[14] slotting home a pass from Siem de Jong through the legs of goalkeeper Thijs Jansen to secure a 2–0 home victory.[15]

On 20 January 2023, Acheffay's contract with De Graafschap was dissolved by mutual consent.[16]

PEC Zwolle

On 26 January 2023, Acheffay joined PEC Zwolle until the end of the 2022–23 season.[17] He made his debut for the club on 6 February, replacing Lennart Thy in the 87th minute of a 0–0 draw against Jong Ajax.[18] [19] On 27 February, he made his first start for PEC, playing 68 minutes in a league game against MVV.[20] [21] Following his first start for the club, Acheffay talked about his first months at PEC saying, "Coaches here love football more than at De Graafschap," and elaborated on his refound joy in playing football stating, "I just have to be free in my mind."[22]

Den Bosch

On 13 June 2024, Acheffay signed a two-season contract with Den Bosch, after one year without a club.[23] He made his debut for the club on 9 August, the first matchday of the season, starting in a 2–0 away loss to Eindhoven.[24]

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueNational cupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Jong Vitesse2016–17Tweede Divisie6262
2017–18Derde Divisie1010
2018–19Tweede Divisie32103210
Total39123912
Jong Utrecht2019–20Eerste Divisie276276
2020–21Eerste Divisie194194
Total46104610
Grasshoppers2020–21Challenge League201030
Grasshoppers II2020–211. Liga2020
De Graafschap2021–22Eerste Divisie2501000260
2022–23Eerste Divisie9210102
Total34220362
PEC Zwolle2022–23Eerste Divisie500050
Den Bosch2024–25Eerste Divisie210021
Career total13025300013325

Honours

Jong Vitesse

Grasshoppers

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Jong Vitesse degradeert naar de Derde Divisie . Vitesse . nl . 9 May 2017.
  2. News: Radstaat . Edwin . Jong Vitesse kampioen na ruime zege op Blauw Geel'38, UNA te sterk voor Westlandia . Voetbal247.nl . 20 May 2018 . nl.
  3. News: Lammers . Lex . Jong Vitesse stapt uit voetbalpiramide . Algemeen Dagblad . 21 May 2019 . nl.
  4. News: Lammers . Lex . Acheffay verruilt Jong Vitesse voor beloften FC Utrecht . De Gelderlander . 8 April 2019 . nl.
  5. Web site: Excelsior vs. Utrecht II - 10 August 2019 - Soccerway . int.soccerway.com . 26 September 2021.
  6. Web site: Hicham Acheffay verkast naar Grasshoppers . FC Utrecht . nl . 20 January 2021.
  7. Web site: GC verpflichtet Stürmer Acheffay . Grasshopper Club Zürich . de . 20 January 2021.
  8. Web site: Netherlands - H. Acheffay - Profile with news, career statistics and history - Soccerway . int.soccerway.com . 26 September 2021.
  9. Web site: Hicham Acheffay traint mee - VVV-Venlo . VVV-Venlo . nl . 28 June 2021 . 26 September 2021 . 28 June 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210628190205/https://www.vvv-venlo.nl/nl/vvv-venlo/nieuws/hicham_acheffay_traint_mee . dead .
  10. Web site: Proefperiode Acheffay ten einde - VVV-Venlo . VVV-Venlo . nl . 6 July 2021 . 26 September 2021 . 17 July 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210717223455/https://www.vvv-venlo.nl/nl/vvv-venlo/nieuws/proefperiode_acheffay_ten_einde . dead .
  11. Web site: Hicham Acheffay voor twee seizoenen naar De Graafschap (video) . De Graafschap . nl . 6 July 2021.
  12. Web site: De Graafschap vs. Roda JC – 7 August 2021 – Soccerway . int.soccerway.com . 9 January 2022.
  13. Web site: Hicham Acheffay – Eerste Divisie 2021/2022 . worldfootball.net . 9 January 2022 . en.
  14. News: Bijma . Jeroen . Acheffay voelt zich na eerste goal bevrijd bij De Graafschap: 'Dit kan me over dode punt heen helpen' . 7 December 2022 . De Gelderlander . 30 October 2022 . nl.
  15. News: Rondeel . Tim . Laar . Dean van het . De Graafschap boekt derde thuisoverwinning op rij . 7 December 2022 . Regio8 . 28 October 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221207170658/https://www.regio8.nl/de-graafschap-boekt-derde-thuisoverwinning-op-rij . 7 December 2022 . nl-NL.
  16. Web site: De Graafschap. De Graafschap en Acheffay nemen per direct afscheid van elkaar. 20 January 2023. 23 January 2023. nl.
  17. Web site: Hicham Acheffay aan selectie toegevoegd . PEC Zwolle . 12 June 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230128050449/https://peczwolle.nl/nieuws/hicham-acheffay-aan-selectie-toegevoegd . 28 January 2023 . nl . 26 January 2023.
  18. Web site: Samenvatting Jong Ajax – PEC Zwolle Dubbel gevoel . . 12 June 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230612181142/https://www.ajax.nl/artikelen/samenvatting-jong-ajax-pec-zwolle-dubbel-gevoel/ . 12 June 2023 . nl-NL . 6 February 2023 . live.
  19. Web site: Ajax II vs. PEC Zwolle – 6 February 2023 . Soccerway . Perform Group . 12 June 2023.
  20. News: Puts . Wim . Vechtlust MVV beloond met 3–2 zege op koploper PEC Zwolle . 12 June 2023 . 1limburg . 27 February 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230526030031/https://www.1limburg.nl/sport/2144266/vechtlust-mvv-beloond-met-3-2-zege-op-koploper-pec-zwolle . 26 May 2023 . nl.
  21. Web site: MVV vs. PEC Zwolle – 27 February 2023 . Soccerway . Perform Group . 12 June 2023.
  22. News: Heppenhuis . Merle . Hicham Acheffay (22) vindt plezier in voetbal terug bij PEC Zwolle: 'Trainers houden hier meer van voetbal dan bij De Graafschap' . 12 June 2023 . De Gelderlander . 3 March 2023 . nl.
  23. Web site: FC Den Bosch. HICHAM ACHEFFAY NIEUWE AANWINST FC DEN BOSCH. HICHAM ACHEFFAY NEW ACQUISITION OF FC DEN BOSCH. 13 June 2024. 15 July 2024. nl.
  24. News: Busken . Roy van den . Teleurstellende start van seizoen FC Den Bosch . 13 August 2024 . DTV Nieuws . 9 August 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240813201416/https://dtvnieuws.nl/nieuws/artikel/teleurstellende-start-van-seizoen-fc-den-bosch . 13 August 2024 . nl.
  25. Web site: DIE HOPPERS SIND WIEDER DA! . Grasshopper Club Zürich . en . 20 May 2021.