Wikipedia

Allan Saint-Maximin

Allan Irénée Saint-Maximin (born 12 March 1997) is a French professional footballer who plays as a winger for Süper Lig club Fenerbahçe, on loan from Saudi Pro League club Al-Ahli. He previously played for Saint-Étienne, Monaco, Nice and Newcastle United. He is mainly known for his flamboyant style of play.

Allan Saint-Maximin
Saint-Maximin playing for France U17 in 2014
Personal information
Full name Allan Irénée Saint-Maximin[1]
Date of birth (1997-03-12) 12 March 1997 (age 27)[2]
Place of birth Châtenay-Malabry, France
Height 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)[3]
Position(s) Winger
Team information
Current team
 Fenerbahçe
(on loan from Al-Ahli)
Number 97
Youth career
2003–2004 Verrières-le-Buisson
2004–2007 US Ris-Orangis
2007–2011 Boulogne-Billancourt
2011–2013 Saint-Étienne
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2013–2015 Saint-Étienne II 22 (7)
2013–2015 Saint-Étienne 12 (0)
2015–2017 Monaco 1 (0)
2015–2016 → Hannover 96 (loan) 16 (1)
2016–2017 → Bastia (loan) 34 (3)
2017–2019 Nice 64 (9)
2019–2023 Newcastle United 111 (12)
2023– Al-Ahli 30 (4)
2024– → Fenerbahçe (loan) 11 (3)
International career
2013 France U16 11 (3)
2013–2014 France U17 7 (4)
2016–2017 France U20 7 (2)
2017–2019 France U21 7 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 21:10, 10 November 2024 (UTC)

Early life

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Saint-Maximin was born on 12 March 1997 in Châtenay-Malabry, a commune in the southwestern suburbs of Paris.[4][5][6] The youngest of three children, his father, Alex, hailed from the Caribbean island of Guadeloupe and his mother, Nadege, was born in French Guiana in South America.[6] At the time of his birth, his family resided in the town of Meudon where Saint-Maximin grew up playing football, mainly on the streets with his friends or on the pitch in Ris-Orangis whilst his parents work; his father worked at Paris Diderot University and his mother stayed late as director of a school in Meudon.[6][7] From an early age, Saint-Maximin learnt to speak English, as encouraged by his mother, in order to achieve his dream of playing in the Premier League.[6]

Growing up in a comfortable Christian home, Saint-Maximin, in his early school years, was given €10 by his mother every day, which he used to buy sweets for his school friends who could not afford such luxury – a sign of his early generosity.[7][8] He took a liking towards Karate Kid, tennis and manga, all of whom were significant influences on his trademark headband.[9] In football, Saint-Maximin joined his first club, TU Verrieres-le-Buisson, where he briefly played for a few months before joining US Ris-Orangis with his older brother, Kurtys.[6][10]

Club career

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Youth career

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Under coach Didier Demonchy, Saint-Maximin trained with older kids despite being five years old during his time in Ris-Orangis. Demonchy recalled his talents, stating, "His talent was innate,” adding, “Usually, five-year-olds make mistakes or fall over. Not Allan. He was doing everything right and nothing was random."[6] Saint-Maximin would spend three years at the club before making a move to AC Boulogne-Billancourt, where he attracted attention from various scouts in France.[11] He was noted for his early talent and precociousness leading him to sign for Saint-Étienne in 2011, after being picked up by a scout who saw him play at a U13 tournament in Meudon.[6] Another offer came in with Paris club Paris Saint-Germain, which included a house for his parents and a big signing bonus of more than €100,000, but was later rejected by Saint-Maximin, who had already committed to Saint-Étienne.[12][13] At the age of 14, Saint-Maximin left Paris and moved permanently to Saint-Etienne, where he was looked after by Paul and Nicole Cavallero.[6]

Saint-Étienne

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Impressing in the youth ranks,[11] Saint-Maximin signed his first professional contract with Saint-Étienne on 1 July 2013.[14] At the age of 16 years, 5 months, and 17 days, he made his club debut on 29 August as a substitute in a Europa League play-off match, coming on for Franck Tabanou before his side suffered a 1–0 loss to Esbjerg fB at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard.[15] His debut made him the third youngest player for Saint-Étienne after Laurent Roussey (16 years and 2 months) and Laurent Paganelli (15 years, 10 months and 3 days).[16][17] Three days later, Saint-Maximin made his Ligue 1 debut at home in a 2–1 win against Bordeaux,[18] becoming one of the youngest players to debut in the league.[19] In his first season with the club, he played 138 minutes in 5 games under Christophe Galtier.[20][21]

On 7 February 2015, Saint-Maximin extended his contract to June 2019 with Saint-Étienne, having been promised more playing time.[22] However, having managed only 16 league appearances, along with Championnat National appearances with the second team,[21] Saint-Maximin sought to leave the club, feeling unwanted due to his limited opportunities with the first team.[23] In an interview with France Football he discussed on his departure, stating, "I did everything to impose myself in Sainté with good matches against OM, Bordeaux and Lille. Afterwards, I alternated between the CFA and the stands. At first, I thought I was learning the trade, and then it became exhausting."[24][25] Saint-Maximin made 11 appearances for the club, which included 9 Ligue 1 and 2 Europa League appearances during the 2014–15 season.[26]

Monaco

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2015–16: Transfer to Monaco and loan to Hannover 96

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On 31 July 2015, Saint-Maximin joined Monaco, signing a five-year contract after completing a €5 million transfer fee.[27][28] He was immediately loaned to German club Hannover 96 the same day,[29] already present in his first training session with the club that morning.[30] The next day, Saint-Maximin made his unofficial debut at HDI Arena in a 1–0 exhibition loss to Sunderland,[31] a week prior to Hannover's DFB-Pokal fixture against Hessen Kassel, where he made his competitive debut.[32] Following his club bow, Saint-Maximin was benched in the season opener against Darmstadt 98 on 15 August,[33] making his league debut a week later, whilst utilised as an attacking midfielder, in a 1–0 home defeat to Bayer Leverkusen.[34] He scored his first goal for the club on 5 December in a 3–1 defeat to Schalke at Arena AufSchalke.[35] Eight days later, he earnt his first start for Hannover in the league match against Hoffenheim where his side lost 1–0.[36]

In January 2016, during the mid-season break, Saint-Maximin would miss 96's friendly matches in Belek, Turkey, to be with his pregnant wife who was expecting their first child.[37] Saint-Maximin would register 16 league appearances with 1 goal during the season.[21] However, an incident cut his loan short. In April, Saint-Maximin was involved in a car accident that collided with a tram, injuring 1 person then presented a fake driving license, leading to an investigation on suspicion of forgery, driving without a license and negligent bodily harm.[38][39] As a result, he was dropped from the squad under Daniel Stendel, not making a single appearance until his return to France.[40] By the end of the season, Hannover was relegated to the 2. Bundesliga after finishing bottom and ending their 14 years in the top flight of Germany.[41]

2016–17: Loan to Bastia and Monaco debut

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On 28 July 2016, Saint-Maximin was sent on loan to Ligue 1 club Bastia for a season.[42] He scored his first goal for the club in a 3–0 win over Lorient on 20 August.[43][44] Saint-Maximin didn't score again until on 10 December, netting a brace in Bastia's 2–0 league victory against Metz, ending their 10 game winless streak.[45][46] In January 2017, Saint-Maximin's number was changed from 6 to 10, following Lyes Houri loan exit to Roda.[47] He proved to be one of the best attackers for Bastia, with 3 goals and 3 assists, despite his side finishing bottom of the league at the end of the season.[48] He played in the final league game for the club on 20 May 2017, after being granted permission from the French Football Federation (FFF) before his call-up to the France U20 squad,[49] in a 1–0 defeat to Marseille at Stade Vélodrome.[50]

On his return to Monaco, Saint-Maximin showed promising form in preseason, scoring 1 goal and adding 2 assists in 4 matches for the club. However, a stacked attacking depth containing Kylian Mbappé, Rony Lopes and Thomas Lemar, meant he could expect scarce playing time.[51] Despite this, he opened to the media, stating that he is "ready to play for Monaco from next season."[52] Saint-Maximin made his debut for the club in the 2017 Trophée des Champions against Paris SG, replacing Mbappé in 77th-minute of a 2–1 loss at Ibn Batouta Stadium.[53] He made his Ligue 1 debut on 4 August, once again, replacing Mbappé who had suffered a knee injury in the 75th-minute of a 3–2 home win over Toulouse.[54] It would be his final appearance for the club before his departure three days later.[21]

Nice

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On 7 August 2017, Saint-Maximin completed a move, as a club-record signing, to Côte d'Azur rival Nice for a reported transfer fee of €10 million.[55][56]

Newcastle United

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On 2 August 2019, Saint-Maximin joined Premier League side Newcastle United on a six-year contract.[57] He made his debut nine days later in Newcastle's defeat to Arsenal on the opening day of the Premier League season.[58] On 5 December, Saint-Maximin scored his first goal for the club in a 2–0 win against Sheffield United.[59] His second goal came two months later in the fourth round of the FA Cup against League One opposition Oxford United, scoring a late winner after a solo run.[60]

The Frenchman also scored the winning goal in Newcastle's 1–0 win at Southampton in a Premier League match on 7 March 2020.[61] On 1 July, Saint-Maximin provided three assists in the Magpies' 4–1 win over AFC Bournemouth.[62]

Al Ahli

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On 30 July 2023, Saint-Maximin signed a three-year contract for Saudi Professional League club Al Ahli for a transfer fee reported to be around £23 million.[63][64] On 16 September, he scored his first goal at the club, by netting the winner in a 3–2 victory over Al Taawoun.[65]

Loan to Fenerbahçe

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On 16 July 2024, Maximin joined Turkish side Fenerbahçe on loan for the 2024–25 season.[66]

Personal life

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Saint-Maximin has three children.[67]

He is close friends with Marcus Thuram, who he had befriended during his time at AC Boulogne-Billancourt.[68]

Career statistics

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As of match played 10 November 2024[69]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup[a] League cup[b] Continental Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Saint-Étienne II 2013–14 CFA 2 15 5 — — — — 15 5
2014–15 CFA 7 2 — — — — 7 2
Total 22 7 — — — — 22 7
Saint-Étienne 2013–14 Ligue 1 3 0 1 0 0 0 1[c] 0 — 5 0
2014–15 Ligue 1 9 0 2 0 0 0 1[c] 0 — 12 0
Total 12 0 3 0 0 0 2 0 — 17 0
Hannover 96 (loan) 2015–16 Bundesliga 16 1 2 0 — — — 18 1
Bastia (loan) 2016–17 Ligue 1 34 3 1 0 1 0 — — 36 3
Monaco 2017–18 Ligue 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1[d] 0 2 0
Nice 2017–18 Ligue 1 30 3 1 0 1 0 6[e] 2 — 38 5
2018–19 Ligue 1 34 6 2 0 0 0 — — 36 6
Total 64 9 3 0 1 0 6 2 — 74 11
Newcastle United 2019–20[70] Premier League 26 3 4 1 0 0 — — 30 4
2020–21[71] Premier League 25 3 0 0 1 0 — — 26 3
2021–22[72] Premier League 35 5 1 0 1 0 — — 37 5
2022–23[73] Premier League 25 1 0 0 6 0 — — 31 1
Total 111 12 5 1 8 0 — — 124 13
Al-Ahli 2023–24 Saudi Pro League 30 4 1 0 — — — 31 4
Fenerbahçe (loan) 2024–25 Süper Lig 11 3 0 0 — 5[f] 0 — 15 3
Career total 301 39 15 1 10 0 13 2 1 0 338 42
  1. ^ Includes Coupe de France, DFB-Pokal, FA Cup, King Cup and Turkish Cup
  2. ^ Includes Coupe de la Ligue and EFL Cup
  3. ^ a b Appearances in UEFA Europa League
  4. ^ Appearance in Trophée des Champions
  5. ^ Two appearances in UEFA Champions League, four appearances and two goals in UEFA Europa League
  6. ^ Two appearances in UEFA Champions League, three appearances in UEFA Europa League

Honours

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Individual

References

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  1. ^ "FIFA U-20 World Cup Korea Republic 2017: List of Players: France" (PDF). FIFA. 11 June 2017. p. 5. Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 December 2019.
  2. ^ "Allan Saint-Maximin: Overview". ESPN. Retrieved 29 December 2020.
  3. ^ "Allan Saint-Maximin: Overview". Premier League. Retrieved 17 August 2019.
  4. ^ "15 fun facts about Allan Saint-Maximin | Goal.com Australia". Goal. 7 April 2023.
  5. ^ "Allan Saint-Maximin – the most frustrating French prospect since Hatem Ben Arfa". Get French Football News. 31 July 2019.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h Waugh, Chris (5 February 2020). "The making of Allan Saint-Maximin: 'He is an artist who wants to paint out on the pitch'". The Athletic. Archived from the original on 4 December 2021.
  7. ^ a b "'You can feel the pain' – Saint-Maximin". BBC Sport. 8 June 2020.
  8. ^ Edwards, Luke (1 November 2019). "Exclusive Allan Saint-Maximin interview: 'I learnt to play on the street – a little bit of me is still playing there'". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 1 August 2023. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
  9. ^ "'I always liked Karate Kid!' – Newcastle star Saint-Maximin talks headbands, Ronaldinho inspiration & board games | Goal.com Australia". Goal. 8 May 2022.
  10. ^ McCormick, Sean (24 November 2019). "How Allan Saint-Maximin became Newcastle's 'decisive player'". ChronicleLive.
  11. ^ a b Jucha, Nicolas (23 October 2014). "Allan St Maximin, le Vert de l'espoir". SOFOOT (in French).
  12. ^ "Ligue 1 : en 2011, Saint-Maximin refusait le PSG pour Saint-Etienne". Le Parisien (in French). 28 February 2017.
  13. ^ Morlain, Thibault (9 July 2023). "Le PSG lui offre le pactole, il justifie son transfert à l'ASSE". Le10Sport (in French).
  14. ^ "Saint-Etienne : Premier contrat pro pour Saint-Maximin". Foot National (in French). 2 July 2013.
  15. ^ "Les Verts quittent la scène européenne". AS Saint-Étienne (in French). 29 August 2013.
  16. ^ "Ligue 1 : les mésaventures d'Allan Saint-Maximin (Nice)". L'Équipe (in French). 18 February 2019.
  17. ^ "Mercato - ASSE : Allan Saint-Maximin fracasse Christophe Galtier et les Verts !". Le10Sport (in French). 28 February 2017.
  18. ^ "L'élan retrouvé des Verts". AS Saint-Étienne (in French). 1 September 2013.
  19. ^ "Le top 20 des plus jeunes joueurs lors de leurs débuts en Ligue 1". OneFootball (in French). 16 September 2019.
  20. ^ "Tutulamayan adam: Newcastle United'ın yıldızı Allan Saint-Maximin'in kariyer yolcuğu". Medyascope (in Turkish). Spor Servisi. 22 September 2021.
  21. ^ a b c d "A. Saint-Maximin: Summary". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
  22. ^ "Allan Saint-Maximin prolonge jusqu'en 2019". AS Saint-Étienne (in French). 7 February 2015.
  23. ^ "ASSE - Saint-Maximin revient sur son départ de Saint-Étienne". Made in Monegasque Ouest France (in French). Ouest France. 28 February 2017.
  24. ^ "Saint-Maximin a eu "l'impression d'être pris pour une marchandise" à l'ASSE". 20 Minutes France (in French). 28 February 2017.
  25. ^ "ASSE - Saint-Maximin très remonté contre les Verts". Made in Saint-Etienne (in French). Ouest France. 28 February 2017.
  26. ^ "Allan Saint-Maximin : 5 ans à Monaco". AS Saint-Étienne (in French). 31 July 2015.
  27. ^ "FOOTBALL. ASSE : Saint-Maximin est à Monaco". Le Progres (in French). 26 July 2015.
  28. ^ "Saint-Maximin, nouveau monégasque, prêté à Hanovre" (in French). AS Monaco. Archived from the original on 2 August 2015. Retrieved 31 July 2015.
  29. ^ "Ausleihe von Allan Saint-Maximin perfekt" (in German). Hannover 96. Archived from the original on 3 August 2015. Retrieved 31 July 2015.
  30. ^ "Frontzeck bremst Erwartungen bei Saint-Maximin". Kicker. 31 July 2015.
  31. ^ "Pfiffe bei Hannovers Generalprobe". Kicker. 1 August 2015.
  32. ^ "Kapitän Schulz legt den Finger in Hannovers Wunde". Kicker. 10 August 2015.
  33. ^ "Frontzeck schützt Saint-Maximin". Kicker. 14 August 2015.
  34. ^ "Frontzeck: "Saint-Maximin kann dem Gegner wehtun"". Kicker. 26 August 2015.
  35. ^ "Schalke 04 3-1 Hannover 96 (4 Dec 2015) Game Analysis". ESPN. PA Sport. 5 December 2015.
  36. ^ "TSG 1899 Hoffenheim 1-0 Hannover 96 Match report". Bundesliga. 13 December 2015.
  37. ^ "96: Bech und Saint-Maximin weg, Sulejmani und Feierabend da". Kicker. 11 January 2016.
  38. ^ "Hannover 96: Allan Saint-Maximin baut Unfall ohne Führerschein". SPORT1 (in German). 5 April 2016.
  39. ^ "Allan Saint-Maximin victime d'un accident de la route". L'Équipe (in French). 5 April 2016.
  40. ^ "Allan Saint-Maximin ne jouera plus avec Hanovre". L'Équipe (in French).
  41. ^ "Season Review 2015/16: Hannover 96". Bundesliga. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  42. ^ "4 arrivées et 3 départs au Sporting". Sporting Club Bastia (in French). 28 July 2016.
  43. ^ "Lorient vs. Bastia". Soccerway. 20 August 2016.
  44. ^ "RISING STAR: Allan Saint-Maximin (SC Bastia)". Ligue 1. 13 October 2016.
  45. ^ "Bastia vs. Metz". Soccerway. 10 December 2016.
  46. ^ Le Gall, Aymeric (17 December 2016). "Avec Saint-Maximin, sans amour le talent n'est rien". SOFOOT (in French).
  47. ^ "Allan Saint-Maximin récupère le numéro 10". Sporting Club Bastia (in French). 1 February 2017.
  48. ^ Ryan, Patrick (26 October 2021). "The patron saint of Newcastle: An ode to the artistry of Saint-Maximin". Planet Football.
  49. ^ "Saint-Maximin jouera contre Marseille". Sporting Club Bastia (in French). 15 May 2017.
  50. ^ "Marseille vs. Bastia". Soccerway. 20 May 2017.
  51. ^ "Monaco - Après deux ans en prêt, Allan Saint-Maximin veut saisir sa chance". Goal France (in French). 18 July 2017.
  52. ^ "St Maximin est " prêt pour jouer à Monaco "". SOFOOT (in French). 2 June 2017.
  53. ^ "Monaco vs. PSG". Soccerway. 29 July 2017.
  54. ^ "AS Monaco 3-2 Toulouse (Aug 4, 2017) Game Analysis". ESPN. 4 August 2017.
  55. ^ "St-Maximin signs for Nice". OGC Nice. 7 August 2017. Archived from the original on 10 August 2017.
  56. ^ "Allan Saint-Maximin - The Ligue 1 starlet giving Neymar and Hazard a run for their money". Goal. 24 October 2017.
  57. ^ "Saint-Maximin signs for Newcastle United". Newcastle United F.C. 2 August 2019. Retrieved 2 August 2019.
  58. ^ "Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang punished slack Newcastle defending to give Arsenal victory at a rain-drenched St James' Park". BBC. 11 August 2019. Retrieved 5 February 2020.
  59. ^ "Jonjo Shelvey races clear to clinch away win for Newcastle at Sheffield United". The Guardian. 5 December 2019. Retrieved 5 December 2019.
  60. ^ "Newcastle's Allan Saint-Maximin sinks Oxford with stunning late winner". The Guardian. 4 February 2020. Retrieved 5 February 2020.
  61. ^ "Newcastle boss Steve Bruce says Allan Saint-Maximin's ability is "scary" after the winger put in a match-winning performance at 10-man Southampton". BBC Sport. 7 March 2020. Retrieved 2 July 2020.
  62. ^ "Allan Saint-Maximin on his three assists, THAT Sean Longstaff goal & his lockdown improvements at Newcastle United". Shields Gazette. 1 July 2020. Retrieved 2 July 2020.
  63. ^ "Allan Saint-Maximin: Winger leaves Newcastle for Al Ahli in deal worth in the region of £23m". Sky Sports. 30 July 2023.
  64. ^ Burrows, Ben (30 July 2023). "Allan Saint-Maximin completes move from Newcastle to Al Ahli". The Athletic.
  65. ^ "Stunning goal by Saint-Maximin gives Al-Ahli hard-fought victory over Al-Taawoun". Saudi Gazette. 16 September 2023.
  66. ^ "Transfer Bilgilendirme" (in Turkish). Fenerbahçe S.K. 16 July 2024.
  67. ^ "The Making of Allan Saint-Maximin". The Athletic. Retrieved 8 July 2020.
  68. ^ Scurr, Dominic (20 December 2022). "Allan Saint-Maximin makes Newcastle United transfer request following talks". Shields Gazette.
  69. ^ Allan Saint-Maximin at Soccerway. Retrieved 23 March 2017.
  70. ^ "Games played by Allan Saint-Maximin in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 30 November 2019.
  71. ^ "Games played by Allan Saint-Maximin in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 October 2020.
  72. ^ "Games played by Allan Saint-Maximin in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
  73. ^ "Games played by Allan Saint-Maximin in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 6 August 2022.
  74. ^ "Saint-Maximin volley wins Budweiser Goal of the Month". Premier League. 16 September 2022. Retrieved 16 September 2022.
  75. ^ "Saint-Maximin voted North-East FWA Player of the Year – Football Writers' Association". Football Writers' Association. 13 January 2022. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
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