Omar Elabdellaoui

1.1. Youth Career

Elabdellaoui started his football journey with the Norwegian club Skeid. His talent was recognized early, leading him to join the English club Manchester City at the age of 16 in 2008. While at City's academy, he demonstrated significant effort and impressed his coaches. Scott Sellars, coach of City's U18 team, publicly acknowledged Elabdellaoui's potential in January 2010, stating that he had "a big future."

2.1. Manchester City

After joining Manchester City at 16, Elabdellaoui's impressive efforts within the academy earned him a first-team squad number for the 2010-11 season. However, he never made a senior appearance for the club. His only notable involvement with the first team was sitting on the bench during a UEFA Europa League match against Juventus on 16 December 2010. Despite the recognition, direct opportunities in the senior squad remained limited, leading to various loan spells.

2.2. Strømsgodset

On 31 March 2011, the final day of the Norwegian transfer window, Elabdellaoui was loaned to Strømsgodset in Norway. This move reunited him with former Manchester City teammates Mohammed Abu and Razak Nuhu. He quickly established himself, playing eight league matches, but unfortunately sustained a foot fracture during a league match against Fredrikstad on 28 May 2011, which required him to return to Manchester for surgery. He returned to Strømsgodset on 1 September and remained with the club until the end of the 2011 season, making a total of 12 appearances, scoring one goal, and providing one assist. Strømsgodset sought to extend his loan for the 2012 season, but Elabdellaoui was hesitant due to concerns that the artificial turf at Godset's home ground, Marienlyst Stadion, could lead to a re-injury.

2.3. Feyenoord

In June 2012, Elabdellaoui signed a new two-year contract with Manchester City before being loaned to the Dutch club Feyenoord for the 2012-13 season. His former Manchester City teammate, John Guidetti, who had been on loan at Feyenoord in the previous season, played a key role in recommending Elabdellaoui to the Dutch club and advised him to accept the offer if Manchester City allowed the move. Guidetti praised Elabdellaoui, describing him as physically strong, technically adept, and a fast player, making him a perfect fit for Feyenoord. Feyenoord's technical director, Martin van Geel, indicated that Elabdellaoui was primarily expected to play as a left or right winger, but also as an attacking midfielder behind the forwards. Van Geel also revealed that Feyenoord had tried to sign Elabdellaoui in previous years without success.

Despite initial expectations, Elabdellaoui's playing time at Feyenoord was limited, with only five appearances, four of which were as a substitute. In January 2013, he requested to be released from the club, recognizing that his chances for regular play were constrained by competition from current Netherlands national team players in the right back and right wing positions.

2.4. Eintracht Braunschweig

Following his stint in the Netherlands, Elabdellaoui moved to Germany in January 2013, signing a loan deal with Eintracht Braunschweig for the latter half of the 2012-13 2. Bundesliga season. He quickly became a regular starter and played a crucial role in the team's successful promotion to the Bundesliga. On 10 May, Eintracht Braunschweig announced that his loan agreement had been made permanent, securing his future with the club.

After their promotion, Elabdellaoui made his debut in the German top flight on 10 August 2013, against Werder Bremen. He started the first three matches of the season as a right back, showcasing his adaptability. However, he found himself on the bench for the subsequent match against Hamburg.

2.5. Olympiacos

On 17 June 2014, Elabdellaoui received a contract offer from the Greek club Olympiacos. He signed with the club the very next day, expressing his excitement to become part of the team. During his initial tenure at Olympiacos, he became a highly impactful player, consistently contributing to the club's domestic successes and establishing himself as a key figure.

2.5.2. Return to Olympiacos

Upon his return to Olympiacos, Elabdellaoui continued to impress, with his strong form during the 2018-19 season attracting significant interest from other European clubs. Olympiacos, however, made it clear that any offer would need to be at least 5.00 M EUR to consider his departure.

For the 2019-20 season, Elabdellaoui was honored with the club captaincy, reflecting his leadership and importance to the team. He made 47 appearances across all competitions that season, playing a crucial role as his side secured another Greek Super League title. In August 2020, he announced his departure from the club after six impactful years.

2.6. Galatasaray

Following his departure from Olympiacos, Elabdellaoui moved to Turkey, signing a three-year deal with Galatasaray. The contract was reported to be worth approximately 4.05 M EUR in salary over its duration.

On 31 December 2020, during New Year's Eve celebrations, Elabdellaoui was involved in a severe accident when fireworks exploded in his hands. He was immediately rushed to the hospital for treatment, with particular concern regarding severe injuries to his eyes. The incident left him with significant visual impairment and necessitated a challenging recovery period.

He returned to training in July 2021, nearly seven months after the accident, wearing protective glasses. His recovery was long and arduous, involving more than ten eye surgeries, with some reconstructive procedures taking place in the United States, facilitated by his sister and an anonymous donor. In February 2022, after a prolonged absence from competitive play, he prepared for his return to the pitch. Despite his courageous efforts to recover and return, his contract with Galatasaray was unilaterally terminated by the club on 2 September 2022.

2.7. Bodø/Glimt

In December 2022, Elabdellaoui made his return to Norwegian football, signing a contract with Bodø/Glimt for the 2023 and 2024 seasons. In his first year with the club, he played a part in their success, contributing to Bodø/Glimt securing their third league title in just four seasons, marking a positive end to his professional career.

3.1. Youth National Teams

Elabdellaoui began his international career for Norway at a young age, making his debut for the under-15 team on 8 August 2006, in a 0-0 draw against Poland U-15. In the same match, Stefan Johansen also made his youth international debut. He went on to play one more match for the U-15 team before moving up through the ranks. For the U-16 team, he scored one goal in ten matches. He later scored one goal in eight appearances for the U-17 team, followed by six appearances for the U-18 team, and eleven appearances for the U-19 team, where he scored another goal.

His debut for the Norway national under-21 football team came on 17 October 2010, against Greece U-21. He played a crucial role as a right-back during the 2013 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship qualification campaign. Elabdellaoui also made his debut for the Norway under-23 team in June 2012, against Wales, scoring the opening goal in a commanding 4-0 victory.

3.2. Senior National Team

Elabdellaoui received his first call-up to the senior Norwegian national team in August 2013, for a friendly match against Sweden. He made his senior international debut in that game, starting the match and playing 72 minutes as a right back. He continued to be a regular presence for the senior national team, making 49 appearances between 2013 and 2020.

5.1. Club

5.2. International