Full name Kheireddine Zarabi 1994–1997 IRB Ouargla Career start 2002 Number 30 Height 1.87 m | Playing position Role Footballer Name Kheireddine Zarabi | |
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Date of birth (1984-07-18) 18 July 1984 (age 31) Current team C.F. Uniao (#30 / Defender) | ||
Place of birth Hussein Dey, Algeria | ||
Kheireddine "Kiko" Zarabi (born 18 July 1984) is an Algerian professional footballer who plays for Portuguese club S.C. Covilhã as a central defender.
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Club career
Born in Hussein Dey District, Algiers, Zarabi started his career at age 10 with IRB Ouargla. When he turned 13 his family returned to live in the capital, and he joined NA Hussein Dey first before leaving to RC Kouba two years later; he made his senior debut with the latter in 2002, remaining three seasons with the club.
In May 2005, Zarabi went on trial with French Ligue 2 side FC Lorient. However, nothing came of it, and he returned to his homeland where he successively represented ES Sétif and CR Belouizdad.
In late 2007, Zarabi signed a two and a half year contract with Finland's Turun Palloseura. On 19 January 2009 he moved to Portugal where he would remain the following years, with C.F. Os Belenenses, Vitória de Setúbal, Leixões S.C. and F.C. Arouca, the first two teams in the Primeira Liga, the other in the second division.
In his second season with Arouca, Zarabi contributed with 14 games and two goals as the Aveiro District club reached the top division for the first time in its history.
International career
During his time at Kouba, Zarabi was a regular member of the Algeria under-23 team and participated in various tournaments, most notably the 2005 Mediterranean Games.
Personal life
Zarabi's father, Abdelaziz, was also a footballer, and a full Algerian international. His older brother, Abderraouf, also a defender, also played with Hussein Dey and in Finland.