Mehdi Zeffane


Mehdi Embareck Zeffane is an Algerian professional footballer who plays for Russian club Krylia Sovetov Samara and the Algeria national football team. He plays primarily as a right-back, but has also been used as a left winger or left midfielder.

Club career

Born in Sainte-Foy-lès-Lyon, a commune in the Metropolis of Lyon, Zeffane made his debut for the Olympique Lyonnais B side on 21 August 2010 against RCO Agde at the Stade Louis Sanguin, in which he played the full 90 minutes, as Lyon's B team lost the match 1–0. He scored his first goal for the Lyon B team the next season on 13 August 2011 against FC Villefranche at the Stade Armand Chouffet, when he found the net in the 54th minute in what turned out to be Lyon B's last goal in a 6–0 rout over Villefranche.
In August 2015, Zeffane joined Ligue 1 club Rennes, signing a four-year contract with the club. On 22 August 2015, he scored the winning goal against his former side Lyon in a 2–1 away win for Rennes.
On 30 January 2020, Zeffane signed a two-year contract with Russian Premier League club Krylia Sovetov Samara.

International career

Born in France to Algerian parents, Zeffane was initially eligible to represent either France or Algeria. In August 2014, he was named in a provisional 31-man squad by new Algeria coach Christian Gourcuff for a pair of 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Ethiopia and Mali. Ten days later, he was included in the final squad for the matches.

Career statistics

Club

International

Honours

Club

Stade Rennais
Algeria