Karim El Ahmadi

LATEST NEWS

2012-13 review coming soon.

WHAT HE SAID

Sometimes in Holland they call me 'The Governor'. I feel comfortable with the job to always help make the team play better and always come for the ball.

It's always been a dream to play in the Premier League because I think it's the best in the world. I'm glad to come and play for Aston Villa and I hope I can show something to the crowd.

As a player, I always want to have the ball and that is my main quality. I always want the ball and to dictate the game.

WHAT OTHERS SAID

Fabian Delph: Karim's enthusiasm to win is frightening. Everybody says they don't like losing but Karim actually hates losing and his mentality rubs off on the rest of us.

Marc Albrighton: He's a good lad. He's a funny character in the dressing room. What a player too! His skill and technical ability is second to none.

Joe Bennett: Karim has good feet. He is very skilful on the ball. He'll make things tick in the centre.

Gabby Agbonlahor: Karim is always smiling. He's a really positive person - and it's the same when he's got the ball at his feet. He's a top player, very difficult to dispossess and he's a vital part of our midfield now.

Paul Lambert: I think he will be great for us. He is a very, very good footballer. I don't think he's a set player in terms of defensive or offensive. He can do most things and could do both roles if I asked him to do that.

MINI PROFILE

Karim El Ahmadi joined Villa from Dutch giants Feyenoord in July 2012 to become the club's second summer signing.

The 27-year-old Moroccan international midfielder followed fellow Dutch league recruit Brett Holman through the door after the Australian attacker completed his transfer from AZ Alkmaar a week earlier.

El Ahmadi was recognised as one of the top players in Holland's Eredivisie in 2011-12, having been one of the driving forces behind an impressive season for Feyenoord in which they secured a Champions League place.

The Rotterdam outfit finished runners-up in the Eredivisie with El Ahmadi pulling the strings in the central ground.

El Ahmadi, whose parents are both Moroccan, was born and raised in the Dutch city of Enschede.

At the age of nine, he began playing at local club UDI before scouts from Twente invited him to join their academy.

He made his big breakthrough for Twente in March 2004 and went on to make 89 appearances for the club in four years, scoring three goals.

In April 2008, El Ahmadi joined Feyenoord on a five-year deal although his debut was delayed because of a groin injury.

Having become a regular over the next few seasons, the midfielder fell out of favour during 2010-11 and was loaned to UAE side Al Ahli Club for six months.

On returning to Feyenoord, El Ahmadi regained his first team place under new boss Ronald Koeman and never looked back from there.

INTERESTING FACT

Karim El Ahmadi was voted Villa's player of the month for the first month of the campaign, August.