Belmadi tempted by City life
Friday, January 3, 2003
Article summary
Olympique de Marseille midfielder Djamel Belmadi has joined Manchester City FC on loan.
Article body
European ambition
The signing of one Algerian international, Ali Bernabia, proved the catalyst for City's promotion to the Premiership last season, and manager Kevin Keegan will hope the arrival of the 26-year-old Belmadi will provide a similar spur as the Maine Road club seek to win a place in the 2003/04 UEFA Cup.
Former clubs
Belmadi is well known to another of City's foreign contingent, Nicolas Anelka, as the two were team-mates at Paris Saint-Germain FC. A former Algerian footballer of the year, Belmadi played for AS Cannes, FC Martigues and RC Celta de Vigo prior to his move to Marseille in 1999.
Spell on trial
It is thought that City have paid a nominal fee to secure Belmadi's services until the end of the season, when they will decide whether to make the switch a permanent one. The player has already proved his fitness to Keegan and his medical staff, having spent time on trial at the club last month.
Premiership debut?
Belmadi is ineligible for Sunday's FA Cup third-round match against Liverpool FC, but could make his debut in the Premiership against resurgent Leeds United AFC on 11 January. Keegan said: "I have signed Djamel Belmadi from Marseille but unfortunately we have not been able to register him for Sunday. Having said that, it is not a big blow and I probably would not have involved him."
