A £2.4 million transfer to Liverpool in August 2012 marked the zenith of Oussama Assaidi’s professional trajectory in English football. Born in Beni Boughafer on 15 August 1988, the Moroccan winger navigated a decade-long career spanning the Dutch Eredivisie, the English Premier League, and the UAE Arabian Gulf League before ultimately transitioning away from professional competition.
Early Development in the Netherlands
Assaidi spent three years within the AZ academy system before beginning his senior career at second-tier club FC Omniworld in 2006. Over two seasons, he made 36 appearances and scored three goals. He progressed to the top-flight club De Graafschap in 2008 for one year, subsequently securing a move to Heerenveen. His breakthrough occurred during the 2009–10 season, highlighted by a notable hat-trick against Twente in December 2010 that established him as a key creative figure under manager Ron Jans.
Twenty questions, eight minutes on the clock, and a percentile measured against everyone who has taken it. No sign-up.
Take the IQ test →Premier League Tenure and Loans
After signing with Liverpool for a fee of £2.4 million, Assaidi struggled to secure a permanent starting position amid competition from Raheem Sterling and Suso. He made 12 appearances for the club across the 2012–13 season. A loan move to Stoke City in August 2013 provided more regular playing time, where he scored notable goals against Chelsea and Newcastle United. Despite interest from Stoke manager Mark Hughes for a permanent transfer, Assaidi returned to Liverpool before a second loan period at Stoke concluded in January 2015.
International Play and Final Years
Assaidi represented Morocco at both the 2012 and 2013 Africa Cup of Nations. Following his time in England, he moved to Al-Ahli Dubai in 2015 for approximately £4.7 million, reaching the 2015 AFC Champions League final. He was released by the club in November 2016 and returned to the Netherlands to join Twente in December 2016 on a two-and-a-half-year contract. Following his departure from Twente at the conclusion of the 2018-19 season, he co-founded a sports gym named PlayersHome with Kamal El Makrini.
Fast facts
- Born: 15 August 1988, Beni Boughafer
- Position: Winger
- Professional Debut: 2006
- Liverpool Transfer Fee: £2.4 million
- International Representation: Morocco
- Al-Ahli Dubai Transfer Fee: £4.7 million
- Key Clubs: Heerenveen, Liverpool, Stoke City, Twente
- Post-Football Occupation: Gym owner
Questions readers ask
Which countries did Oussama Assaidi represent internationally?
He represented Morocco, having been eligible for both Morocco and the Netherlands.
Did he play in the Africa Cup of Nations?
Yes, he played in the tournament for Morocco in both 2012 and 2013.
