Anwar Bensabouh
# Anwar Bensabouh

Anwar Bensabouh (Arabic: أنور بنصبوح; Berber languages: ⴰⵏⵡⴰⵔ ⴱⵏⵙⴰⴱⵓⵃ; born 21 January 1999) is a Dutch professional footballer who plays as a midfielder. Born in the Netherlands, he is of Moroccan descent.

## Career

### Almere City

Bensabouh played youth football for AFC and Almere City. He made his debut for their reserve team, Jong Almere City, on 31 March 2018, starting in a 1–0 loss in the Derde Divisie against Jong FC Volendam. On 5 May 2018, he scored his first senior goal, opening the score in a 2–0 home victory against Magreb '90. He contributed to the team's promotion to the Tweede Divisie at the end of the season, after a two-legged play-off win over JVC Cuijk.

Ahead of the 2018–19 season, Bensabouh was promoted to the first team, signing his first professional contract with the club in August 2018. He made his professional debut for Almere City in the Eerste Divisie on 20 August 2018 in a game against Jong AZ, replacing Anass Ahannach in the 86th minute. On 12 April 2019, he scored his first goal in a 3–1 league win over FC Den Bosch. Almere City qualified for promotion play-offs to the Eredivisie that season, which saw Bensabouh score his second goal for the club in the first round against Cambuur. They would however be knocked out by Cambuur after a loss in the second leg.

On 11 June 2019, Bensabouh signed a contract extension, keeping him at Almere City until 2022.

### Telstar

On 30 June 2021, Bensabouh signed a two-year contract with league rivals Telstar. He made his debut for the club on the first matchday of the season, playing 90 minutes in a 1–1 home draw against Emmen. On 22 October, he scored his first goal for Telstar in an Eerste Divisie draw against Helmond Sport.

He suffered a knee injury on 26 October 2021 in a KNVB Cup match against Kozakken Boys, which sidelined him for several months. On his comeback on 4 March 2022, he scored an important goal from distance to secure a 2–2 draw against TOP Oss. He scored four goals in 24 appearances in his first season at the club, which saw them finish in a disappointing 19th place in the league table.

Under new head coach Mike Snoei, Bensabouh grew into a key player in midfield for Telstar early in the 2022–23 season. In September 2022, he suffered a knee injury which sidelined him for several weeks. In the second half of the season, Bensabouh appeared as captain in Glynor Plet's absence. On 28 April 2023, he scored the decisive goal of a 1–0 victory against Den Bosch, keeping Telstar in the race for a spot in the promotion play-offs. The team eventually finished in ninth place, improving drastically on their performance from the previous season, albeit missing out on play-offs by five points. Bensabouh scored once in 30 appearances that season.

## Style of play

Bensabouh is a creative and versatile midfielder, capable of playing in multiple positions. He has highlighted his creative ability and strong work ethic. Additionally, he has a good understanding of the game, enabling him to assess situations on the field and anticipate the right decisions. He consistently looks forward and has an attacking mindset, and is able to deliver accurate passes both on the ground as well as through the air.

## Personal life

Born in the Netherlands, Bensabouh is of Moroccan descent.

## Career statistics

    As of match played 19 May 2023

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition :

| Club | Season | League | League | League | KNVB Cup | KNVB Cup | Other | Other | Total | Total |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Club | Season | Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| Jong Almere City | 2017–18 | Derde Divisie | 8 | 1 | — | — | 3 | 0 | 11 | 1 |
| Jong Almere City | 2018–19 | Tweede Divisie | 20 | 5 | — | — | — | — | 20 | 5 |
| Jong Almere City | 2019–20 | Derde Divisie | 3 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 3 | 0 |
| Jong Almere City | Total | Total | 31 | 6 | — | — | 3 | 0 | 34 | 6 |
| Almere City | 2018–19 | Eerste Divisie | 18 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 20 | 2 |
| Almere City | 2019–20 | Eerste Divisie | 25 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 25 | 0 |
| Almere City | 2020–21 | Eerste Divisie | 13 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 0 |
| Almere City | Total | Total | 56 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 59 | 2 |
| Telstar | 2021–22 | Eerste Divisie | 23 | 4 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 24 | 4 |
| Telstar | 2022–23 | Eerste Divisie | 29 | 1 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 30 | 1 |
| Telstar | Total | Total | 52 | 5 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 54 | 5 |
| Career total | Career total | Career total | 139 | 12 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 147 | 13 |

* ↑ Appearances in Derde Divisie promotion playoffs
* ↑ Appearances in Eredivisie promotion/relegation playoffs
