Dutch-Moroccan professional footballer (born 1989)

Soufian El H*naoui (born 28 October 1989) is a Dutch-Moroccan professional footballer who last played for IR Tanger, as a striker. He has previously played for Dutch sides De Graafschap and Sparta Rotterdam, and the Scottish Premiership side Heart of Midlothian.

Contents

• 1 Career
  • 1.1 De Graafschap
  • 1.2 Sparta Rotterdam
  • 1.3 Heart of Midlothian
  • 1.4 IR Tanger
• 2 International career
• 3 Career statistics
• 4 Honours
• 5 References

Career

De Graafschap

Born in Ede, Netherlands and raised there, El H*naoui began playing youth football for local side De Graafschap. Then in November 2008, El H*aoui signed his first professional contract with the club, keeping him until 2010.

El H*naoui made his De Graadschap debut, where he came on as a subs*ute for Steve De Ridder in the 84th minute, in a 3–0 win over Eindhoven. He then made three appearances, which saw his contract extended until 2012. Five days after signing a contract, El H*anaoui scored his first De Graadschap (the reserve) goal, in a 1–0 win over Cambuur in the second round of KNVB Cup. However, El H*naoui suffered an arm injury that kept him out for weeks. After making his return to the first team against Telsar on 8 February 2010, El H*naoui scored his first De Graadschap league goal, in a 3–2 loss against Emmen four days later. El H*aoui later added four more goals later this season against Excelsior, Volendam Omniworld and AGOVV. In his first season which saw De Graafschap promoted to Eredivisie, El H*naoui made twenty-two appearances and scoring five times.

The 2010–11 season saw El H*naoui make four appearances for the club before suffering a knee injury, which he sustained a match against Jong FC Groningen and was out for six to eight months. Upon recovering from injury, El H*naoui declared himself fit, though he needs to train to regain his fitness ahead of the new season.

In the 2011–12 season, El H*naoui made his first team return, in the opening game of the season, in a 4–1 loss against Ajax, which he talked about his return in the post-match. Then seven days later, El H*naoui scored his first goal of the season, in a 2–2 draw against Utrecht. His first three appearances of the 2011–12 season saw El H*naoui signed a contract with the club, keeping him until 2014. El H*anaoui scored his second goal of the season two weeks later on 10 September 2011, in a 1–0 win over NEC. His third goal of the season later came on 19 November 2011, which saw them lost 3–1 against PSV Eindhoven. El H*naoui was sidelined for one game for the next game against VVV-Venlo. After making his first team return, El H*naoui later scored five goals against Roda JC, Twente, Heracles, Excelsior and ADO Den Haag. However, El H*aoui was unable to help the club to secure their league status in Eredivisie, therefore relegated to Eerste Divisie. El H*naoui was almost ever present at the club, making thirty-three appearances and scoring once.

Ahead of the 2012–13 season, El H*naoui wore number nine shirt. However, El H*naoui was linked with a move to Metalist Kharkiv and the talks had started. El H*naoui rejected a move to Metalist Kharkiv and signed a contract extension, keeping him until 2015. El H*naoui started the season well when he scored in a 2–0 win over Excelsior. El H*naoui then scored three goals in three matches against Oss, Emmen and Dordrecht. El H*naoui later two more goals later in the 2012–13 season, but was dropped from the first team, citing unprofessional conduct. But then, El H*naoui returned to the first team, but was used as an un-used in the subs*ute bench in the last game of the season, as he finished his 2012–13 season, making twenty-six appearances and scoring six times.

Sparta Rotterdam

It was announced on 18 June 2013 that El H*naoui joined Sparta Rotterdam on a free transfer, signing a two-year contract.

El H*naoui made his Sparta Rotterdam debut on 3 August 2013, in the opening game of the season, in a 2–2 draw against Jong PSV. It took until 29 September 2013 when El H*naoui scored his first Sparta Rotterdam goal, in a 3–0 win over Telstar. El H*naoui scored his second goal of the season on 5 November 2013, in a 1–0 win over Achilles '29. El H*naoui

then scored his third goal of the season two weeks later on 22 November 2013, in a 5–1 win over Helmond Sport. However, El H*naoui's playing time was soon reduced, as he made twenty-three appearances and scoring three times. At the end of the 2013–14 season, it was announced that El H*naoui was released by the club despite a year on his contract left.

Heart of Midlothian

On 16 June 2014, he signed a three-year deal with Scottish Championship club Heart of Midlothian.

However, his start at Hearts was not as planned after suffering from a groin injury. Though recovered from a groin injury, El H*naoui did not make his debut until on 13 September 2014 against Dumbarton, where he came on as a subs*ute for James Keatings in the 64th minute. Two weeks later on 28 September 2014, El H*naoui scored his first Hearts goal, in a 5–0 win over Livingston. El H*naoui's second goal of the season came on 15 November 2014 two months later, in a 2–1 win over Falkirk. Unfortunately, El H*naoui suffered an ankle injury that kept him out for months. Though recovered from an ankle injury, El H*naoui remained on the subs*ute bench until he made his return to the first team, coming on as subs*ute for Jamie Walker in the second half and then provided *ist for Osman Sow, in a 10–0 win over Cowdenbeath Later in the 2014–15 season, El H*naoui later scored two more goals against Alloa Athletic and Raith Rovers. In his first season at Hearts, El H*naoui made 18 appearances, scoring four times, as he helped Hearts reach back to Scottish Premiership and resulting him earning the winners' medal. El H*naoui reflected his first season at Hearts, as bad, citing his injury overshadowed his season.

He was released by Hearts in the summer of 2016.

IR Tanger

On 17 January 2017, he signed a one and a half year deal with IR Tanger.

International career

El H*naoui played for the Morocco national under-23 football team in the qualifying rounds of the 2011 CAF U-23 Championship and was called up to the squad for the 2012 Summer Olympics.

Career statistics

As of 24 April 2017

Honours

De Graafschap

• Eerste Divisie: 2009–10

Heart of Midlothian

• Scottish Championship 2014–15

References