Karim Rekik
Karim Rekik (; born 2 December 1994) is a Dutch professional footballer who plays as a defender for UAE Pro League club Al-Jazira. Rekik came through the youth academy at Feyenoord, before joining Premier League side Manchester City who he signed on a professional terms in 2011. He would only make one appearance for City in the league over a four-year spell, spending time on loan with Portsmouth, Blackburn Rovers and PSV. In 2015 he signed for Marseille where he remained for several seasons before joining Hertha BSC. He has been capped at numerous international levels, including four caps for Netherlands between 2014 and 2017. Early life Rekik was born in The Hague. His father was born in Tunisia and his mother is a Dutch primary school teaching assistant. He has a younger brother, Omar, who is also a professional footballer playing as a centre-back for Arsenal, but as of currently is on loan to Wigan. Rekik started his football when he joined Scheveningen in 1999 before joining Feyenoord, where he went on to stay for nine years. But in March 2011, Manchester City made an approach for Rekik, as Feyernood were determined to keep a hold off him. The approach was to be controversial, as the club took the case matter to the Dutch FA, as a result of the club losing their youngsters to Premier League clubs. The club was also considering legal action against Rekik's agent Søren Lerby, though he insisted he maintain following FIFA's rules. The case was dismissed. Club career Manchester City Rekik signed for Manchester City from Feyenoord in the summer of 2011, and made his debut appearance for the first team in the Dublin Super Cup in pre-season. He made his official first team debut for Manchester City on 21 September 2011 against Birmingham City in the third round of the League Cup, coming on as a substitute for Wayne Bridge in the last 12 minutes of the game. His debut against Birmingham City saw him become the youngest overseas player to appear in a senior game for City, just 16 years and 294 days old. He also made a 73rd-minute substitute appearance in the fourth round of the competition against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux, in place of Luca Scapuzzi. Rekik returned to Manchester City at the end of the 2011–12 season. On 5 December 2012, it was announced that Rekik signed a long term contract with the club. He would go on to start in his Premier League debut, a 1–0 win at home to Reading on 22 December 2012, and was substituted for James Milner in the 84th minute. Reading claimed that they deserved a penalty for Rekik's challenge on Jay Tabb, which was not given by referee Mike Dean. On 10 August 2014, Rekik was an unused substitute as City lost the Community Shield 3–0 to Arsenal at Wembley Stadium. Loan spells in England On 22 March 2012, it was confirmed that Michael Appleton was to take Scapuzzi and Rekik