Allan Saint-Maximin

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Allan Saint-Maximin
Saint-Maximin playing for France U17 in 2014
Personal information
Full name Allan Irénée Saint-Maximin[1]
Date of birth (1997-03-12) 12 March 1997 (age 27)[2]
Place of birth Châtenay-Malabry, France
Height 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)[3]
Position(s) Winger
Team information
Current team
Al-Ahli
Number 97
Youth career
2003–2004 Verrières-le-Buisson
2004–2007 US Ris-Orangis
2007–2011 Boulogne-Billancourt
2011–2013 Saint-Étienne
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2013–2015 Saint-Étienne II 22 (7)
2013–2015 Saint-Étienne 12 (0)
2015–2017 Monaco 1 (0)
2015–2016Hannover 96 (loan) 16 (1)
2016–2017Bastia (loan) 34 (3)
2017–2019 Nice 64 (9)
2019–2023 Newcastle United 111 (12)
2023– Al-Ahli 23 (4)
International career
2013 France U16 11 (3)
2013–2014 France U17 7 (4)
2016–2017 France U20 7 (2)
2017–2019 France U21 7 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 23:00, 15 March 2024 (UTC)

Allan Irénée Saint-Maximin (born 12 March 1997) is a French professional footballer who plays as a winger for Saudi Pro League club Al-Ahli. He previously played for Saint-Étienne, Monaco, Nice and Newcastle United.

Early life[edit]

Saint-Maximin was born on 12 March 1997 in Châtenay-Malabry, a commune in the southwestern suburbs of Paris.[4][5][6] The youngest of three children, his father, Alex, hailed from the Caribbean island of Guadeloupe and his mother, Nadege, was born in French Guiana in South America.[6] At the time of his birth, his family resided in the town of Meudon where Saint-Maximin grew up playing football, mainly on the streets with his friends or on the pitch in Ris-Orangis whilst his parents work; his father worked at Paris Diderot University and his mother stayed late as director of a school in Meudon.[6][7] From an early age, Saint-Maximin learnt to speak English, as encouraged by his mother, in order to achieve his dream of playing in the Premier League.[6]

Growing up in a comfortable Christian home, Saint-Maximin, in his early school years, was given €10 by his mother every day, which he used to buy sweets for his school friends who could not afford such luxury – a sign of his early generosity.[7][8] He took a liking towards Karate Kid, tennis and manga, all of whom were significant influences on his trademark headband.[9] In football, Saint-Maximin joined his first club, TU Verrieres-le-Buisson, where he briefly played for a few months before joining US Ris-Orangis with his older brother, Kurtys.[6][10]

Club career[edit]

Youth career[edit]

Under coach Didier Demonchy, Saint-Maximin trained with older kids despite being five years old during his time in Ris-Orangis. Demonchy recalled his talents, stating, "His talent was innate,” adding, “Usually, five-year-olds make mistakes or fall over. Not Allan. He was doing everything right and nothing was random."[6] Saint-Maximin would spend three years at the club before making a move to AC Boulogne-Billancourt, where he attracted attention from various scouts in France.[11] He was noted for his early talent and precociousness leading him to sign for Saint-Étienne in 2011, after being picked up by a scout who saw him play at a U13 tournament in Meudon.[6] Another offer came in with Paris club Paris Saint-Germain, which included a house for his parents and a big signing bonus of more than €100,000, but was later rejected by Saint-Maximin, who had already committed to Saint-Étienne.[12][13] At the age of 14, Saint-Maximin left Paris and moved permanently to Saint-Etienne, where he was looked after by Paul and Nicole Cavallero.[6]

Saint-Étienne[edit]

Impressing in the youth ranks,[11] Saint-Maximin signed his first professional contract with Saint-Étienne on 1 July 2013.[14] At the age of 16 years, 5 months, and 17 days, he made his club debut on 29 August as a substitute in a Europa League play-off match, coming on for Franck Tabanou before his side suffered a 1–0 loss to Esbjerg fB at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard.[15] His debut made him the third youngest player for Saint-Étienne after Laurent Roussey (16 years and 2 months) and Laurent Paganelli (15 years, 10 months and 3 days).[16][17] Three days later, Saint-Maximin made his Ligue 1 debut at home in a 2–1 win against Bordeaux,[18] becoming one of the youngest players to debut in the league.[19] In his first season with the club, he played 138 minutes in 5 games under Christophe Galtier.[20][21]

On 7 February 2015, Saint-Maximin extended his contract to June 2019 with Saint-Étienne, having been promised more playing time.[22] However, having managed only 16 league appearances, along with Championnat National appearances with the second team,[23] Saint-Maximin sought to leave the club, feeling unwanted due to his limited opportunities with the first team.[24] In an interview with France Football he discussed on his departure, stating, "I did everything to impose myself in Sainté with good matches against OM, Bordeaux and Lille. Afterwards, I alternated between the CFA and the stands. At first, I thought I was learning the trade, and then it became exhausting."[25][26] Saint-Maximin made 11 appearances for the club, which included 9 Ligue 1 and 2 Europa League appearances during the 2014–15 season.[27]

Monaco[edit]

2015–16: Transfer to Monaco and loan to Hannover 96[edit]

On 31 July 2015, Saint-Maximin joined Monaco, signing a five-year contract after completing a €5 million transfer fee.[28][29] He was immediately loaned to German club Hannover 96 the same day,[30] already present in his first training session with the club that morning.[31] The next day, Saint-Maximin made his unofficial debut at HDI Arena in a 1–0 exhibition loss to Sunderland,[32] a week prior to Hannover's DFB-Pokal fixture against Hessen Kassel, where he made his competitive debut.[33] Following his club bow, Saint-Maximin was benched in the season opener against Darmstadt 98 on 15 August,[34] making his league debut a week later, whilst utilised as an attacking midfielder, in a 1–0 home defeat to Bayer Leverkusen.[35]

He scored his first goal for the club on 5 December in a 3–1 defeat to Schalke at Arena AufSchalke.[36] Eight days later, he earnt his first start for Hannover in the league match against Hoffenheim where his side lost 1–0.[37] In January 2016, during the mid-season break, Saint-Maximin would miss 96's friendly matches in Belek, Turkey, to be with his pregnant wife who was expecting their first child.[38] Saint-Maximin would register 16 league appearances with 1 goal during the season.[39] However, an incident cut his loan short. In April, Saint-Maximin was involved in a car accident that collided with a tram, injuring 1 person then presented a fake driving license, leading to an investigation on suspicion of forgery, driving without a license and negligent bodily harm.[40][41] As a result, he was dropped from the squad under Daniel Stendel, not making a single appearance until his return to France.[42]

By the end of the season, Hannover was relegated to the 2. Bundesliga after finishing bottom and ending their 14 years in the top flight of Germany.[43]

2016–17: Loan to Bastia and Monaco debut[edit]

On 28 July 2016, Saint-Maximin was sent on loan to Ligue 1 club Bastia for a season.[44] He scored his first goal for the club in a 3–0 win over Lorient on 20 August.[45][46] Saint-Maximin didn't score again until on 10 December, netting a brace in Bastia's 2–0 league victory against Metz, ending their 10 game winless streak.[47][48] In January 2017, Saint-Maximin's number was changed from 6 to 10, following Lyes Houri loan exit to Roda.[49] He proved to be one of the best attackers for Bastia, with 3 goals and 3 assists, despite his side finishing bottom of the league at the end of the season.[50] He played in the final league game for the club on 20 May 2017, after being granted permission from the French Football Federation (FFF) before his call-up to the France U20 squad,[51] in a 1–0 defeat to Marseille at Stade Vélodrome.[52]

On his return to Monaco, Saint-Maximin showed promising form in preseason, scoring 1 goal and adding 2 assists in 4 matches for the club. However, a stacked attacking depth containing Kylian Mbappé, Rony Lopes and Thomas Lemar, meant he could expect scarce playing time.[53] Despite this, he opened to the media, stating that he is "ready to play for Monaco from next season."[54] Saint-Maximin made his debut for the club in the 2017 Trophée des Champions against Paris SG, replacing Mbappé in 77th-minute of a 2–1 loss at Ibn Batouta Stadium.[55] He made his Ligue 1 debut on 4 August, once again, replacing Mbappé who had suffered a knee injury in the 75th-minute of a 3–2 home win over Toulouse.[56] It would be his final appearance for the club before his departure three days later.[57]

Nice[edit]

On 7 August 2017, Saint-Maximin completed a move, as a club-record signing, to Côte d'Azur rival Nice for a reported transfer fee of €10 million.[58][59]

Newcastle United[edit]

On 2 August 2019, Saint-Maximin joined Premier League side Newcastle United on a six-year contract.[60] He made his debut nine days later in Newcastle's defeat to Arsenal on the opening day of the Premier League season.[61] On 5 December, Saint-Maximin scored his first goal for the club in a 2–0 win against Sheffield United.[62] His second goal came two months later in the fourth round of the FA Cup against League One opposition Oxford United, scoring a late winner after a solo run.[63]

The Frenchman also scored the winning goal in Newcastle's 1–0 win at Southampton in a Premier League match on 7 March 2020.[64] On 1 July, Saint-Maximin provided three assists in the Magpies' 4–1 win over AFC Bournemouth.[65]

Al Ahli[edit]

On 30 July 2023, Saint-Maximin signed a three-year contract for Saudi Professional League club Al Ahli for a transfer fee reported to be around £23 million.[66][67] On 16 September, he scored his first goal at the club, by netting the winner in a 3–2 victory over Al Taawoun.[68]

Personal life[edit]

Saint-Maximin has three children.[69]

He is close friends with Marcus Thuram, who he had befriended during his time at AC Boulogne-Billancourt.[70]

Career statistics[edit]

As of match played 15 March 2024[71]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup League cup Continental Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Saint-Étienne II 2013–14 CFA 2 15 5 15 5
2014–15 CFA 7 2 7 2
Total 22 7 22 7
Saint-Étienne 2013–14 Ligue 1 3 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 5 0
2014–15 Ligue 1 9 0 2 0 0 0 1 0 12 0
Total 12 0 3 0 0 0 2 0 17 0
Hannover 96 (loan) 2015–16 Bundesliga 16 1 2 0 18 1
Bastia (loan) 2016–17 Ligue 1 34 3 1 0 1 0 36 3
Monaco 2017–18 Ligue 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 2 0
Nice 2017–18 Ligue 1 30 3 1 0 1 0 6 2 38 5
2018–19 Ligue 1 34 6 2 0 0 0 36 6
Total 64 9 3 0 1 0 6 2 74 11
Newcastle United 2019–20[72] Premier League 26 3 4 1 0 0 30 4
2020–21[73] Premier League 25 3 0 0 1 0 26 3
2021–22[74] Premier League 35 5 1 0 1 0 37 5
2022–23[75] Premier League 25 1 0 0 6 0 31 1
Total 111 12 5 1 8 0 124 13
Al-Ahli 2023–24 Saudi Pro League 23 4 1 0 24 4
Career total 283 36 15 1 10 0 8 2 1 0 317 39

Honours[edit]

Newcastle United

Individual

References[edit]

  1. ^ "FIFA U-20 World Cup Korea Republic 2017: List of Players: France" (PDF). FIFA. 11 June 2017. p. 5. Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 December 2019.
  2. ^ "Allan Saint-Maximin: Overview". ESPN. Retrieved 29 December 2020.
  3. ^ "Allan Saint-Maximin: Overview". Premier League. Retrieved 17 August 2019.
  4. ^ "15 fun facts about Allan Saint-Maximin | Goal.com Australia". Goal. 7 April 2023.
  5. ^ "Allan Saint-Maximin – the most frustrating French prospect since Hatem Ben Arfa". Get French Football News. 31 July 2019.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h Waugh, Chris (5 February 2020). "The making of Allan Saint-Maximin: 'He is an artist who wants to paint out on the pitch'". The Athletic. Archived from the original on 4 December 2021.
  7. ^ a b "'You can feel the pain' – Saint-Maximin". BBC Sport. 8 June 2020.
  8. ^ Edwards, Luke (1 November 2019). "Exclusive Allan Saint-Maximin interview: 'I learnt to play on the street – a little bit of me is still playing there'". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 1 August 2023. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
  9. ^ "'I always liked Karate Kid!' – Newcastle star Saint-Maximin talks headbands, Ronaldinho inspiration & board games | Goal.com Australia". Goal. 8 May 2022.
  10. ^ McCormick, Sean (24 November 2019). "How Allan Saint-Maximin became Newcastle's 'decisive player'". ChronicleLive.
  11. ^ a b Jucha, Nicolas (23 October 2014). "Allan St Maximin, le Vert de l'espoir". SOFOOT (in French).
  12. ^ "Ligue 1 : en 2011, Saint-Maximin refusait le PSG pour Saint-Etienne". Le Parisien (in French). 28 February 2017.
  13. ^ Morlain, Thibault (9 July 2023). "Le PSG lui offre le pactole, il justifie son transfert à l'ASSE". Le10Sport (in French).
  14. ^ "Saint-Etienne : Premier contrat pro pour Saint-Maximin". Foot National (in French). 2 July 2013.
  15. ^ "Les Verts quittent la scène européenne". AS Saint-Étienne (in French). 29 August 2013.
  16. ^ "Ligue 1 : les mésaventures d'Allan Saint-Maximin (Nice)". L'Équipe (in French). 18 February 2019.
  17. ^ "Mercato - ASSE : Allan Saint-Maximin fracasse Christophe Galtier et les Verts !". Le10Sport (in French). 28 February 2017.
  18. ^ "L'élan retrouvé des Verts". AS Saint-Étienne (in French). 1 September 2013.
  19. ^ "Le top 20 des plus jeunes joueurs lors de leurs débuts en Ligue 1". OneFootball (in French). 16 September 2019.
  20. ^ "Tutulamayan adam: Newcastle United'ın yıldızı Allan Saint-Maximin'in kariyer yolcuğu". Medyascope (in Turkish). Spor Servisi. 22 September 2021.
  21. ^ "A. Saint-Maximin: Summary". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
  22. ^ "Allan Saint-Maximin prolonge jusqu'en 2019". AS Saint-Étienne (in French). 7 February 2015.
  23. ^ "A. Saint-Maximin: Summary". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
  24. ^ "ASSE - Saint-Maximin revient sur son départ de Saint-Étienne". Made in Monegasque Ouest France (in French). Ouest France. 28 February 2017.
  25. ^ "Saint-Maximin a eu «l'impression d'être pris pour une marchandise» à l'ASSE". 20 Minutes France (in French). 28 February 2017.
  26. ^ "ASSE - Saint-Maximin très remonté contre les Verts". Made in Saint-Etienne (in French). Ouest France. 28 February 2017.
  27. ^ "Allan Saint-Maximin : 5 ans à Monaco". AS Saint-Étienne (in French). 31 July 2015.
  28. ^ "FOOTBALL. ASSE : Saint-Maximin est à Monaco". Le Progres (in French). 26 July 2015.
  29. ^ "Saint-Maximin, nouveau monégasque, prêté à Hanovre" (in French). AS Monaco. Archived from the original on 2 August 2015. Retrieved 31 July 2015.
  30. ^ "Ausleihe von Allan Saint-Maximin perfekt" (in German). Hannover 96. Archived from the original on 3 August 2015. Retrieved 31 July 2015.
  31. ^ "Frontzeck bremst Erwartungen bei Saint-Maximin". Kicker. 31 July 2015.
  32. ^ "Pfiffe bei Hannovers Generalprobe". Kicker. 1 August 2015.
  33. ^ "Kapitän Schulz legt den Finger in Hannovers Wunde". Kicker. 10 August 2015.
  34. ^ "Frontzeck schützt Saint-Maximin". Kicker. 14 August 2015.
  35. ^ "Frontzeck: "Saint-Maximin kann dem Gegner wehtun"". Kicker. 26 August 2015.
  36. ^ "Schalke 04 3-1 Hannover 96 (4 Dec 2015) Game Analysis". ESPN. PA Sport. 5 December 2015.
  37. ^ "TSG 1899 Hoffenheim 1-0 Hannover 96 Match report". Bundesliga. 13 December 2015.
  38. ^ "96: Bech und Saint-Maximin weg, Sulejmani und Feierabend da". Kicker. 11 January 2016.
  39. ^ "A. Saint-Maximin: Summary". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
  40. ^ "Hannover 96: Allan Saint-Maximin baut Unfall ohne Führerschein". SPORT1 (in German). 5 April 2016.
  41. ^ "Allan Saint-Maximin victime d'un accident de la route". L'Équipe (in French). 5 April 2016.
  42. ^ "Allan Saint-Maximin ne jouera plus avec Hanovre". L'Équipe (in French).
  43. ^ "Season Review 2015/16: Hannover 96". Bundesliga. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  44. ^ "4 arrivées et 3 départs au Sporting". Sporting Club Bastia (in French). 28 July 2016.
  45. ^ "Lorient vs. Bastia". Soccerway. 20 August 2016.
  46. ^ "RISING STAR: Allan Saint-Maximin (SC Bastia)". Ligue 1. 13 October 2016.
  47. ^ "Bastia vs. Metz". Soccerway. 10 December 2016.
  48. ^ Le Gall, Aymeric (17 December 2016). "Avec Saint-Maximin, sans amour le talent n'est rien". SOFOOT (in French).
  49. ^ "Allan Saint-Maximin récupère le numéro 10". Sporting Club Bastia (in French). 1 February 2017.
  50. ^ Ryan, Patrick (26 October 2021). "The patron saint of Newcastle: An ode to the artistry of Saint-Maximin". Planet Football.
  51. ^ "Saint-Maximin jouera contre Marseille". Sporting Club Bastia (in French). 15 May 2017.
  52. ^ "Marseille vs. Bastia". Soccerway. 20 May 2017.
  53. ^ "Monaco - Après deux ans en prêt, Allan Saint-Maximin veut saisir sa chance". Goal France (in French). 18 July 2017.
  54. ^ "St Maximin est « prêt pour jouer à Monaco »". SOFOOT (in French). 2 June 2017.
  55. ^ "Monaco vs. PSG". Soccerway. 29 July 2017.
  56. ^ "AS Monaco 3-2 Toulouse (Aug 4, 2017) Game Analysis". ESPN. 4 August 2017.
  57. ^ "A. Saint-Maximin: Summary". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
  58. ^ "St-Maximin signs for Nice". OGC Nice. 7 August 2017. Archived from the original on 10 August 2017.
  59. ^ "Allan Saint-Maximin - The Ligue 1 starlet giving Neymar and Hazard a run for their money". Goal. 24 October 2017.
  60. ^ "Saint-Maximin signs for Newcastle United". Newcastle United F.C. 2 August 2019. Retrieved 2 August 2019.
  61. ^ "Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang punished slack Newcastle defending to give Arsenal victory at a rain-drenched St James' Park". BBC. 11 August 2019. Retrieved 5 February 2020.
  62. ^ "Jonjo Shelvey races clear to clinch away win for Newcastle at Sheffield United". The Guardian. 5 December 2019. Retrieved 5 December 2019.
  63. ^ "Newcastle's Allan Saint-Maximin sinks Oxford with stunning late winner". The Guardian. 4 February 2020. Retrieved 5 February 2020.
  64. ^ "Newcastle boss Steve Bruce says Allan Saint-Maximin's ability is "scary" after the winger put in a match-winning performance at 10-man Southampton". BBC Sport. 7 March 2020. Retrieved 2 July 2020.
  65. ^ "Allan Saint-Maximin on his three assists, THAT Sean Longstaff goal & his lockdown improvements at Newcastle United". Shields Gazette. 1 July 2020. Retrieved 2 July 2020.
  66. ^ "Allan Saint-Maximin: Winger leaves Newcastle for Al Ahli in deal worth in the region of £23m". Sky Sports. 30 July 2023.
  67. ^ Burrows, Ben (30 July 2023). "Allan Saint-Maximin completes move from Newcastle to Al Ahli". The Athletic.
  68. ^ "Stunning goal by Saint-Maximin gives Al-Ahli hard-fought victory over Al-Taawoun". Saudi Gazette. 16 September 2023.
  69. ^ "The Making of Allan Saint-Maximin". The Athletic. Retrieved 8 July 2020.
  70. ^ Scurr, Dominic (20 December 2022). "Allan Saint-Maximin makes Newcastle United transfer request following talks". Shields Gazette.
  71. ^ Allan Saint-Maximin at Soccerway. Retrieved 23 March 2017.
  72. ^ "Games played by Allan Saint-Maximin in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 30 November 2019.
  73. ^ "Games played by Allan Saint-Maximin in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 October 2020.
  74. ^ "Games played by Allan Saint-Maximin in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
  75. ^ "Games played by Allan Saint-Maximin in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 6 August 2022.
  76. ^ McNulty, Phil (26 February 2023). "Manchester United 2–0 Newcastle United". BBC Sport. Retrieved 26 February 2023.
  77. ^ "Saint-Maximin volley wins Budweiser Goal of the Month". Premier League. 16 September 2022. Retrieved 16 September 2022.
  78. ^ "Saint-Maximin voted North-East FWA Player of the Year – Football Writers' Association". Football Writers' Association. 13 January 2022. Retrieved 10 March 2024.

External links[edit]