Medhi Gregory Giuseppe Lacen[1] (born 15 May 1984) is an Algerian professional footballer who plays for Getafe CF in La Liga, as a defensive midfielder.
Club career
Born in Paris, France, to an Algerian father and an Italian mother,[2] Lacen started his professional career with modest outfits of Stade Lavalloisand ASOA Valence. In 2005–06 he moved to Spain, joining Deportivo Alavés which would eventually be relegated; he made his La Liga debut on 15 October 2005, in a 1–1 home draw against Villarreal CF.
After two second division seasons as an undisputed starter for the Basque, Lacen moved to Racing de Santander on 15 August 2008, on a three-year link.[3] He competed throughout the campaign for first-choice status with Peter Luccin, also newly signed.
In the 2009–10 season, as Racing finished in 16th position, Lacen became an automatic first-choice (Luccin returned to Real Zaragoza from his loan) and scored three goals, namely in a 3–2 home win over Xerez CD on 13 December 2009.[4]
In late February 2011, with his deal with the Cantabrians expiring in June, Lacen signed a pre-contract with fellow top level outfit Getafe CF.[5] On 25 May the move was made official, with the player signing a four-year contract with the Madrid outskirts club.[6]
Lacen scored scored his first goal with Getafe on 16 April 2012, netting the second in a 5–1 home win against Sevilla FC.[7]
International career
Although French-born, Lacen had the possibility of representing Algeria through his fathers' origins. In 2006 he was called up by Jean-Michel Cavalli to the national side for a friendly against Gabon, but did not play because of an administrative problem.[8]
On 12 December 2009, the president of the Algerian FA, Mohamed Raouraoua, announced that Lacen would be called up to the Algerian squad for the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations in Angola.[9] However, five days later, head coach Rabah Saâdane announced that the player would not participate in the continental competition because of his wife's pregnancy.[10]
On 12 February 2010, Racing Santander's website announced that Lacen was chosen for Algeria's upcoming friendly against Serbia.[11] On 3 March he finally made his debut, in a 0–3 loss.[12]
In June 2010, Lacen was selected to the FIFA World Cup in South Africa, playing all the games. During the tournament, he partnered Hassan Yebda (another defensive midfielder) as the national team failed to score a goal, earning one point.
 Lacen in action with Algeria in 2011 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Medhi Gregory Giuseppe Lacen | ||
| Date of birth | 15 May 1984 | ||
| Place of birth | Versailles, France | ||
| Height | 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in) | ||
| Playing position | Defensive midfielder | ||
| Club information | |||
| Current club | Getafe | ||
| Number | 5 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Versailles | |||
| Laval | |||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 2003–2004 | Laval | 4 | (0) |
| 2004–2005 | Valence | 35 | (0) |
| 2005–2008 | Alavés | 86 | (0) |
| 2008–2011 | Racing Santander | 100 | (4) |
| 2011– | Getafe | 53 | (1) |
| National team‡ | |||
| 2010– | Algeria | 22 | (0) |
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 00:00, 2 June 2013 (UTC).
† Appearances (Goals).
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 00:00, 31 January 2013 (UTC) | |||
