Mehdi Abeid

Mehdi Abeid is a French-Algerian halfback born on 6 August 1992 in Montreuil, France.

In 1999 Mehdi joined the Thiais academy and spent three years there. During that time he managed to play for two youth teams and was noticed by US Alfortville scouts in one of the matches. In 2002 the footballer moved to the academy of the club and spent another two years of his youth career with the new team. In 2004 Abeid drew the attention of Lens. Mehdi was offered to join the club’s youth system and he accepted the offer in the same year. Abeid was a trainee of Lens till he reached the level of play which gave him an opportunity to sign for the first team.

In 2009 Mehdi penned his first professional contract with the club. The management decided to send the midfielder to the reserve team and the footballer scored three goals in 19 matches for Lens B.

In 2011 the young French footballer drew the attention of an English side club. Newcastle United made an offer to buy the midfielder and reached an agreement concerning the beginning of negotiations. In the summer the same year two parties discussed all details and Mehdi signed a contract with ‘The Magpies’ on permanent basis. However, he was sent on loan first to a Scottish side St. Johnstone and then to Panathinaikos to gain more experience.

In 2007 Mehdi began to play for the France national U16 team, took part in 11 matches and netted two goals during one year. From 2007 till 2010 Abeid was capped 18 times for the national U17 and U18 squads and contributed three goals. In 2011 the midfielder played four games in the Algeria national U23 team.