Essaïd Belkalem (born 1 January 1989) is an Algerian footballer who plays as a defender for English Championship side Watford on loan fromGranada and the Algeria national team.
Club career
In 2008, Belkalem was promoted to the JS Kabylie senior team from the club's junior ranks.
In the 2009–2010 season, Belkalem made 20 appearances, scoring 1 goal.
On July 18, 2010, Belkalem scored JS Kabylie's only goal in the win over Egyptian club Ismaily in the group stage of the 2010 CAF Champions League with a powerful header in the 75th minute.
In February 2013, with his contract expiring in June, Belkalem said that he would be leaving JS Kabylie at the end of the season to join a European club.[3]
Granada
In June 2013, with his contract with JS Kabylie expired, it was announced that Belkalem had signed a five year contract with Spanish La Ligaclub Granada, joining them on a free transfer.
Watford
Belkalem signed for Championship club Watford on a season-long loan on 12 August 2013. [5] He will wear the number 5 shirt. He made his debut for Watford in their 2-0 League Cup victory over Bournemouth on 28th August 2013, playing the full 90 minutes. His league debut came in a 1-1 draw at home to Charlton Athletic on 14th September 2013.
International career
In 2007, Belkalem was called up to the Algerian U20 National Team for the first edition of the Mediterranean Trophy held in Sicily, Italy.[6] In 2008, he started in a 2009 African Youth Championshipqualifier against Mauritania.[7]
In August 2009, Belkalem received his first call-up to the Algeria Under-23 national team for a week long training camp in Algiers.[8]
In 2010, he was called up to the Algeria A' national team for a qualifier against Libya.[9]
On May 12, 2012, Belkalem was called up for the first time to the Algeria national team for the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Mali and Rwanda, and the return leg of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Gambia.[10] On September 9, he made his debut for the team as a starter in the first leg of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations second round qualifier against Libya. Belkalem played the entire match as Algeria went on to win 1–0
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Essaïd Belkalem | ||
| Date of birth | 1 January 1989 | ||
| Place of birth | Mekla, Algeria | ||
| Height | 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in) | ||
| Playing position | Defender | ||
| Club information | |||
| Current club | Watford (on loan from Granada) | ||
| Number | 5 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2006–2008 | JS Kabylie | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 2008–2013 | JS Kabylie | 83 | (5) |
| 2013– | Granada | 0 | (0) |
| 2013– | → Watford (loan) | 5 | (0) |
| National team‡ | |||
| 2007–2008 | Algeria U20 | 4 | (0) |
| 2009–2010 | Algeria U23 | 4 | (1) |
| 2009– | Algeria A' | 2 | (2) |
| 2012– | Algeria | 11 | (0) |
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 14:00, June 22, 2013 (EST).
† Appearances (Goals).
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 14:00, June 22, 2013 (EST) | |||
