Soufian El Hassnaoui Explained

Soufian El Hassnaoui
Fullname:Soufian El Hassnaoui
Birth Date:28 October 1989
Birth Place:Ede, Netherlands
Position:Attacking midfielder, striker
Youthclubs1:De Graafschap
Years1:2008–2013
Clubs1:De Graafschap
Caps1:85
Goals1:19
Years2:2013–2014
Clubs2:Sparta Rotterdam
Caps2:23
Goals2:3
Years3:2014–2016
Clubs3:Heart of Midlothian
Caps3:18
Goals3:4
Years4:2017
Clubs4:IR Tanger
Caps4:5
Goals4:0
Nationalyears1:2011–2012
Nationalteam1:Morocco U-23
Nationalcaps1:3
Nationalgoals1:1
Club-Update:24 April 2017 (UTC)
Nationalteam-Update:18 June 2013 (UTC)

Soufian El Hassnaoui (born 28 October 1989) is a Dutch-Moroccan professional footballer who last played for IR Tanger, as a striker. He has previously played for Dutch sides De Graafschap and Sparta Rotterdam, and the Scottish Premiership side Heart of Midlothian.

Career

De Graafschap

Born in Ede, Netherlands and raised there,[1] El Hassnaoui began playing youth football for local side De Graafschap. Then in November 2008, El Hassaoui signed his first professional contract with the club, keeping him until 2010.[2]

El Hassnaoui made his De Graadschap debut, where he came on as a substitute for Steve De Ridder in the 84th minute, in a 3–0 win over Eindhoven.[3] He then made three appearances, which saw his contract extended until 2012.[4] Five days after signing a contract, El Hassanaoui scored his first De Graadschap (the reserve) goal, in a 1–0 win over Cambuur in the second round of KNVB Cup.[5] However, El Hassnaoui suffered an arm injury that kept him out for weeks.[6] After making his return to the first team against Telsar on 8 February 2010, El Hassnaoui scored his first De Graadschap league goal, in a 3–2 loss against Emmen four days later.[7] El Hassaoui later added four more goals later this season against Excelsior,[8] Volendam[9] Omniworld[10] and AGOVV.[11] In his first season which saw De Graafschap promoted to Eredivisie, El Hassnaoui made twenty-two appearances and scoring five times.

The 2010–11 season saw El Hassnaoui make four appearances for the club before suffering a knee injury, which he sustained a match against Jong FC Groningen and was out for six to eight months.[12] Upon recovering from injury, El Hassnaoui declared himself fit, though he needs to train to regain his fitness ahead of the new season.[13]

In the 2011–12 season, El Hassnaoui made his first team return, in the opening game of the season, in a 4–1 loss against Ajax, which he talked about his return in the post-match.[14] Then seven days later, El Hassnaoui scored his first goal of the season, in a 2–2 draw against Utrecht.[15] His first three appearances of the 2011–12 season saw El Hassnaoui signed a contract with the club, keeping him until 2014.[16] El Hassanaoui scored his second goal of the season two weeks later on 10 September 2011, in a 1–0 win over NEC.[17] His third goal of the season later came on 19 November 2011, which saw them lost 3–1 against PSV Eindhoven.[18] El Hassnaoui was sidelined for one game for the next game against VVV-Venlo.[19] After making his first team return, El Hassnaoui later scored five goals against Roda JC,[20] Twente,[21] Heracles,[22] Excelsior[23] and ADO Den Haag.[24] However, El Hassaoui was unable to help the club to secure their league status in Eredivisie, therefore relegated to Eerste Divisie. El Hassnaoui was almost ever present at the club, making thirty-three appearances and scoring once.

Ahead of the 2012–13 season, El Hassnaoui wore number nine shirt.[25] However, El Hassnaoui was linked with a move to Metalist Kharkiv and the talks had started.[26] El Hassnaoui rejected a move to Metalist Kharkiv and signed a contract extension, keeping him until 2015.[27] El Hassnaoui started the season well when he scored in a 2–0 win over Excelsior.[28] El Hassnaoui then scored three goals in three matches against Oss,[29] Emmen[30] and Dordrecht.[31] El Hassnaoui later two more goals later in the 2012–13 season, but was dropped from the first team, citing unprofessional conduct.[32] But then, El Hassnaoui returned to the first team, but was used as an un-used in the substitute bench in the last game of the season, as he finished his 2012–13 season, making twenty-six appearances and scoring six times.[33]

Sparta Rotterdam

It was announced on 18 June 2013 that El Hassnaoui joined Sparta Rotterdam on a free transfer, signing a two-year contract.[34] [35]

El Hassnaoui made his Sparta Rotterdam debut on 3 August 2013, in the opening game of the season, in a 2–2 draw against Jong PSV.[36] It took until 29 September 2013 when El Hassnaoui scored his first Sparta Rotterdam goal, in a 3–0 win over Telstar.[37] El Hassnaoui scored his second goal of the season on 5 November 2013, in a 1–0 win over Achilles '29.[38] El Hassnaoui

then scored his third goal of the season two weeks later on 22 November 2013, in a 5–1 win over Helmond Sport.[39] However, El Hassnaoui's playing time was soon reduced, as he made twenty-three appearances and scoring three times. At the end of the 2013–14 season, it was announced that El Hassnaoui was released by the club despite a year on his contract left.[40]

Heart of Midlothian

On 16 June 2014, he signed a three-year deal with Scottish Championship club Heart of Midlothian.[41]

However, his start at Hearts was not as planned after suffering from a groin injury.[42] Though recovered from a groin injury,[43] El Hassnaoui did not make his debut until on 13 September 2014 against Dumbarton, where he came on as a substitute for James Keatings in the 64th minute.[44] Two weeks later on 28 September 2014, El Hassnaoui scored his first Hearts goal, in a 5–0 win over Livingston.[45] El Hassnaoui's second goal of the season came on 15 November 2014 two months later, in a 2–1 win over Falkirk.[46] Unfortunately, El Hassnaoui suffered an ankle injury that kept him out for months.[47] Though recovered from an ankle injury, El Hassnaoui remained on the substitute bench until he made his return to the first team, coming on as substitute for Jamie Walker in the second half and then provided assist for Osman Sow, in a 10–0 win over Cowdenbeath[48] Later in the 2014–15 season, El Hassnaoui later scored two more goals against Alloa Athletic[49] and Raith Rovers.[50] In his first season at Hearts, El Hassnaoui made 18 appearances, scoring four times, as he helped Hearts reach back to Scottish Premiership and resulting him earning the winners' medal. El Hassnaoui reflected his first season at Hearts, as bad, citing his injury overshadowed his season.[51]

He was released by Hearts in the summer of 2016.[52]

IR Tanger

On 17 January 2017, he signed a one-and-a-half-year deal with IR Tanger.[53]

International career

El Hassnaoui played for the Morocco national under-23 football team in the qualifying rounds of the 2011 CAF U-23 Championship[54] and was called up to the squad for the 2012 Summer Olympics.[55]

Career statistics

[56]

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueLeague CupNational CupContinentalOtherTotal
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
De Graafschap2009 - 1022500110000236
2010 - 11400000000040
2011 - 1233800300010378
2012 - 1326600200010296
Sparta Rotterdam2013 - 1423300100000243
Heart of Midlothian2014 - 1518410000000194
2015 - 16000000000000
IR Tanger2016 - 17500000300080
Career total131261071302014427

Honours

De Graafschap

Heart of Midlothian

Notes and References

  1. News: El Hassnaoui: I'm ready to fulfil Hearts promise. Edinburgh Evening News. 23 October 2014. 17 July 2015.
  2. News: De Graafschap legt twee talenten contract voor. Voetbal International. Dutch. 28 November 2008. 17 July 2015.
  3. News: Veendam leeft helemaal op. AD.nl. Dutch. 14 August 2009. 17 July 2015.
  4. News: De Graafschap breekt contract El Hassnaoui open. Voetbal International. Dutch. 17 September 2009. 17 July 2015.
  5. News: Stunt Jong De Graafschap in bekertoernooi. De Gelderlander. Dutch. 22 September 2009. 17 July 2015.
  6. News: El Hassnaoui door armbreuk enkele weken uitgeschakeld. Voetbal International. Dutch. 4 November 2009. 17 July 2015.
  7. News: De Graafschap laat zich thuis verrassen door Emmen. Voetbal International. Dutch. 12 February 2010. 17 July 2015.
  8. News: De Graafschap steviger op kop. AD.nl. Dutch. 26 February 2010. 17 July 2015.
  9. News: Top drie eerste divisie wint. AD.nl. Dutch. 19 March 2010. 17 July 2015.
  10. News: FC Omniworld - De Graafschap 0:5 (Eerste Divisie). Voetbal. Dutch. 9 April 2010. 17 July 2015.
  11. News: Elf video: AGOVV klopt kampioen De Graafschap en stelt play-offs veilig. Elf Voetbal. Dutch. 24 April 2010. 17 July 2015.
  12. News: Zware blessure voor aanvaller El Hassnaoui. Voetbal International. Dutch. 29 September 2010. 17 July 2015.
  13. Web site: El Hassnaoui: 'Ik ben weer officieel fit'. De Graadschap. 10 July 2011. 17 July 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150717204022/http://www.degraafschap.nl/nieuws/el-hassnaoui-ik-ben-weer-officieel-fit/. 17 July 2015. live.
  14. Web site: Reacties na De Graafschap - Ajax. De Graafschap. Dutch. 7 August 2011. 17 July 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150717201841/http://www.degraafschap.nl/nieuws/reacties-na-de-graafschap---ajax/. 17 July 2015. live.
  15. News: Veerkrachtig FC Utrecht dankt punt aan Mulenga. Voetbal International. Dutch. 14 August 2011. 17 July 2015.
  16. News: El Hassnaoui verlengt bij De Graafschap. AD.nl. Dutch. 24 August 2011. 17 July 2015.
  17. News: Saai duel brengt eerste zege voor De Graafschap. Voetbal International. Dutch. 10 September 2011. 17 July 2015.
  18. News: Wijnaldum leidt PSV langs De Graafschap. AD.nl. Dutch. 19 November 2011. 17 July 2015.
  19. News: El Hassnaoui twijfelgeval bij De Graafschap. AD.nl. Dutch. 25 November 2011. 17 July 2015.
  20. News: Roelofsen blijkt wonderdokter voor Superboeren. AD.nl. Dutch. 25 February 2012. 17 July 2015.
  21. News: Matig Twente verslaat met moeite zwak De Graafschap. Voetbal International. Dutch. 21 March 2012. 17 July 2015.
  22. News: Negen man Heracles houden stand bij De Graafschap. Voetbal International. Dutch. 21 April 2012. 17 July 2015.
  23. News: De Graafschap behoudt minieme voorsprong op Excelsior. Voetbal International. Dutch. 2 May 2012. 17 July 2015.
  24. News: De Graafschap na zege op ADO Den Haag naar nacompetitie. AD.nl. Dutch. 6 May 2012. 17 July 2015.
  25. Web site: Rugnummers De Graafschap 2012/13. De Graafschap. Dutch. 10 August 2012. 17 July 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150717203351/http://www.degraafschap.nl/nieuws/rugnummers-de-graafschap-seizoen-2012-13/. 17 July 2015. live.
  26. Web site: El Hassnaoui praat met Metalist Charkov. De Graafschap. Dutch. 25 June 2012. 17 July 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150717210705/http://www.degraafschap.nl/nieuws/el-hassnaoui-praat-met-metalist-charkov/. 17 July 2015. live.
  27. News: El Hassnaoui wijst interesse Metalist Kharkiv van de hand. De Graafschap. Dutch. 3 July 2012. 17 July 2015.
  28. News: De Graafschap opent met zege op Excelsior. AD.nl. Dutch. 10 August 2012. 17 July 2015.
  29. News: Zwak De Graafschap niet voorbij FC Oss. De Gelderander. Dutch. 26 October 2012. 17 July 2015.
  30. News: De Graafschap doet goede zaken in Emmen. De Gelderander. Dutch. 2 November 2012. 17 July 2015.
  31. News: Koploper MVV veel te sterk voor FC Den Bosch. Volkskrant. Dutch. 9 November 2012. 17 July 2015.
  32. News: Huistra zet El Hassnaoui uit selectie. AD.nl. Dutch. 22 April 2013. 17 July 2015.
  33. News: El Hassnaoui terug in selectie De Graafschap. AD.nl. Dutch. 1 May 2013. 17 July 2015.
  34. Web site: Soufian El Hassnaoui naar Sparta Rotterdam. De Graafschap. Dutch. 18 June 2013. 17 July 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150717203010/http://www.degraafschap.nl/nieuws/soufian-el-hassnaoui-naar-sparta-rotterdam/. 17 July 2015. live.
  35. News: El Hassnaoui van De Graafschap naar Sparta Rotterdam. Voetbal International. Dutch. 18 June 2013. 17 July 2015.
  36. News: Jong PSV begint in Jupiler League met remise bij Sparta. Voetbal International. Dutch. 3 August 2013. 17 July 2015.
  37. News: Sparta sluit aan door makkelijke zege bij Telstar. Voetbal International. Dutch. 29 September 2013. 17 July 2015.
  38. News: Sparta nadert koploper FC Dordrecht na zege op Achilles '29. Voetbal International. Dutch. 5 November 2013. 17 July 2015.
  39. News: Sparta plaatst zich voor play-offs. De Volkskrant. Dutch. 22 November 2013. 17 July 2015.
  40. Web site: SPARTA ROTTERDAM NEEMT AFSCHEID VAN SPELERS. Sparta Rotterdam. 22 May 2014. 17 July 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20140524044610/http://www.sparta-rotterdam.nl/2/12/11064/sparta-rotterdam-neemt-afscheid-van-spelers/. 24 May 2014. live.
  41. News: Hearts agree deal to sign Moroccan striker El Hassnaoui . BBC Sport . BBC . 16 June 2014 . 16 June 2014.
  42. News: Neilson vows to be patient with new signing Buaben. Edinburgh Evening News. 25 July 2014. 17 July 2015.
  43. News: Soufian El Hassnaoui to begin full training with Hearts. Edinburgh Evening News. 4 August 2014. 17 July 2015.
  44. News: Dumbarton 0 - 0 Heart of Midlothian. BBC Sport. 13 September 2014. 17 July 2015.
  45. News: Heart of Midlothian 5 - 0 Livingston. BBC Sport. 28 September 2014. 17 July 2015.
  46. News: Falkirk 1 - 2 Heart of Midlothian. BBC Sport. 15 November 2014. 17 July 2015.
  47. News: El Hassnaoui set for Hearts recall after New Year. Edinburgh Evening News. 26 December 2014. 17 July 2015.
  48. News: Heart of Midlothian 10-0 Cowdenbeath. BBC Sport. 28 February 2015. 30 June 2015.
  49. News: Heart of Midlothian 3 - 0 Alloa Athletic. BBC Sport. 8 April 2015. 17 July 2015.
  50. News: Heart of Midlothian 2 - 1 Raith Rovers. BBC Sport. 18 April 2015. 17 July 2015.
  51. News: El Hassnaoui: Injury has hindered my Heart season. Edinburgh Evening News. 28 February 2015. 17 July 2015.
  52. News: Every Scottish Premiership transfer of the summer so far. Daily Record. 12 July 2016. 12 July 2016.
  53. News: Soufiane El Hasnaoui débarque à l'IR Tanger . French . lionsdelatlas.ma . 18 January 2017. 18 January 2017.
  54. Web site: de Gelderlander. Tighadouini in selectie Jong Marokko. Dutch. 15 November 2011.
  55. Web site: Houssine Kharja is in Morocco's squad for Olympics . . bbc.co.uk/sport . 9 July 2012 . 16 June 2014.
  56. Web site: S. EL HASSNAOUI. nl.
  57. News: Steenbergen . Mark van . Het kampioenschap van 2010 met De Graafschap bezorgt Powel nog steeds kippenvel . De Gelderlander . 4 April 2020 . nl.