Karim Rekik is a Dutch professional footballer who plays as a defender for UAE Pro League club Al-Jazira.
26 Facts About Karim Rekik
Karim Rekik has been capped at numerous international levels, including four caps for Netherlands between 2014 and 2017.
Karim Rekik's father was born in Tunisia and his mother is a Dutch primary school teaching assistant.
Karim Rekik has a younger brother, Omar, who is a professional footballer who is currently a free agent.
Karim Rekik started his football when he joined Scheveningen in 1999 before joining Feyenoord, where he went on to stay for nine years.
Karim 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.
Karim Rekik 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.
Karim Rekik made a 73rd-minute substitute appearance in the fourth round of the competition against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux, in place of Luca Scapuzzi.
On 5 December 2012, it was announced that Karim Rekik signed a long term contract with the club.
Unlike Scapuzzi, Karim Rekik became a regular starter as Portsmouth struggled to fight relegation.
Karim Rekik was an ever-present figure in the Portsmouth defence as the league came to an end.
On 15 February 2013, it was confirmed that Karim Rekik would join Blackburn Rovers in the Championship until the end of the season.
Karim Rekik went on to make five appearances for the club.
Karim Rekik played the remaining three matches in the Champions League play-off, as PSV were knocked out by Milan.
However, Karim Rekik suffered an ankle injury, while in international duty.
Karim Rekik went on to captain two games in absence of Georginio Wijnaldum against Utrecht and ADO Den Haag.
However, Karim Rekik said he would not return to Manchester City next season unless he was given first team chances.
Since making his second debut for PSV, Karim Rekik continued to be in the first team in straight matches until he suffered a hamstring injury and was substituted during a match against AZ Alkmaar on 13 February 2015.
Karim Rekik later spoke out about the club's winning the league.
However, PSV decided not to sign him after Karim Rekik made it clear that he wanted to play in a bigger league than the Eredivisie.
On 30 June 2015, Karim Rekik joined Marseille for an undisclosed fee after making just two appearances for Manchester City in four years.
On 5 October 2020, Karim Rekik signed for Spanish club Sevilla FC until 2025.
On 30 July 2023, Karim Rekik signed for UAE Pro League club Al-Jazira.
Karim Rekik was eligible to play for Netherlands, through his birthplace, and Tunisia, through his father.
Karim Rekik went on to captain five times in his eleven appearances.
However, on 31 May 2014, van Gaal announced his final squad, which saw Karim Rekik left out of the 23 man squad.