Adelaide United is delighted to announce the signing of French-born Algerian offensive midfielder Karim Matmour on a one-year deal.
Matmour joins the Reds ahead of the Hyundai A-League 2017/18 season and will bring plenty of experience to the team, after spending 10 seasons in Germany.
The 32-year-old amassed over 275 Bundesliga appearances across both the German first and second divisions with 1860 Munich, SC Freiburg, Borussia Mönchengladbach, Eintracht Frankfurt and 1. FC Kaiserslautern.
Matmour also experienced a brief spell in Kuwait before moving to then Championship side Huddersfield Town in the latter half of the 2015/16 season.
He has received 30 senior caps for Algeria, scoring two goals and represented his country in the 2010 FIFA World Cup – starting all three group stage matches.
Matmour will serve as a versatile option for Boss, Marco Kurz, as he can also play anywhere across the front three.
Reds Head Coach, Kurz, praised the acquisition of Matmour, saying: “I’m delighted and extremely glad that Karim signed for Adelaide and we’re really looking forward to him joining our team.
“We have secured an excellent player with a great personality and someone who will be an asset to the team.”
The German also discussed some of Matmour’s attributes and what he will offer the Reds.
“Karim is a very experienced player and has played nearly 300 games in the German Bundesliga and second division.
“And he can play every offensive position on the field, possesses great pace and technically is very strong.
“He’s also good at laying on assists for his teammates as well as scoring goals.”
Kurz also noted the signing of Matmour leaves the Reds with just one foreigner spot remaining, a spot he will take his time in filling.
“Now we have one foreign position left in the team and we will take our time in finding the right player for this place in the squad.
“The European transfer window closes at the end of August and this provides us with more options because European clubs have completed their squads.”
Speaking on joining the Reds, Matmour said: “For me this is a new experience and I am very excited to play here for this club and in this country.
“If I am honest, I did not know so much about the Hyundai A-League, but in the last two or three weeks I have asked many friends.
“One of my best friends is Jason Davidson, who plays for the Australian national team, and I asked him about this team and the league and he told me only positives.
“I know Marco (Kurz) from Germany and he has a very big reputation and is a very good coach.
“He has a good style and good ideas for football and that’s why for me this a good combination.”
Matmour’s club career has so far yielded a total of 33 goals and 43 assists in 317 matches in all competitions.
Adelaide United squad:
Johan ABSALONSEN, George BLACKWOOD, Lachlan BROOK, Baba DIAWARA, Jordan ELSEY, Tarek ELRICH, Ben GARUCCIO, Ersan GÜLÜM, ISAÍAS, Paul IZZO, Ryan KITTO, Vince LIA, Nathan KONSTANDOPOULOS, Daniel MARGUSH, Michael MARRONE, Karim MATMOUR, Nikola MILEUSNIC, Jordan O’DOHERTY, Mark OCHIENG, Taylor REGAN, Ben WARLAND
