Rami Shaaban (Swedish pronunciation: [ˈrɑːmɪ ˈʃaːban]; Arabic: رامي شعبان; born 30 June 1975 in Fisksätra, Stockholm) is a Swedish professional football player. He currently plays as a goalkeeper for Hammarby IF. He is son of an Egyptian father and a Finnish mother.[1] He has played for a number of teams in England, including Arsenal and also in Sweden. He is a Swedish National Team member.
Club career
[edit] Early career
Shaaban started his senior career at local club Saltsjöbadens IF, before moving to Cairo to play for Zamalek and Ittihad Osman, while also studying at the university. After a couple of years, Shaaban returned to his hometown and joined Nacka FF, a club based very close to where he grew up. After a string of impressive performances, he was asked to joined Swedish first division outfit Djurgården and, in August 2002 earned a move to Arsenal.
[edit] Arsenal
In August 2002, Shaaban joined Arsenal as a possible replacement for David Seaman. When Seaman was injured, he played in two matches in the UEFA Champions League at home against PSV Eindhoven[2] and away against AS Roma as well three matches in the Premier League. Unfortunately, Shaaban broke his leg during training on Christmas Eve 2002 ultimately sidelining himself for the rest of the season.[3] Due to the severity of his injury, Shaaban feared he wouldn't be able to play again. However, after rigorous physical therapy Shaaban was able to bounce back.[4] When Seaman left Arsenal in the summer of 2003, Arsene Wenger signed Jens Lehmann who played every match that season as Arsenal went undefeated for the entire 2003-2004 English Premier League season. Shaaban was plagued by injuries and failed to become Arsenal first goal keeper. As a result, Shaaban was loaned out to West Ham United and consequently ending his Arsenal career.
[edit] Other clubs
In January 2004 Shaaban was loaned to West Ham United for a month, but did not make any appearances for the Hammers' first team. In February 2004, he signed for Brighton & Hove Albion on non-contract terms, making his debut in a 2-1 victory over Sunderland, and signed a short-term contract lasting until the end of the season just days later. After his contract expired at Brighton, he was released on a free transfer and had a trial at Dundee United, playing his only match as United beat Sheffield Wednesday to win the City of Discovery Cup; however, Shaaban could not agree terms and was snapped up by Fredrikstad F.K..
On 12 February 2008, Shaaban signed a five-year contract with Swedish team Hammarby IF.[5]
[edit] International career
Shabaan was called up to the Sweden squad for the 2006 World Cup, although he did not have an international cap to his name. He made his debut in the warm up game with Finland as a substitute, coming on for 45 minutes and keeping a clean sheet in a 0-0 draw. On June 10, 2006, he played in the 2006 World Cup contest against Trinidad and Tobago. He also played four games in the Euro 2008 qualifiers, in which he kept a vital clean sheet against Spain national football team, and was also a member of the nation's final stage squad. Shaaban had a possibility to choose Finland as his national side, but decided to represent Sweden because at that time Finland had many strong national team goalkeepers.
[edit] Honours
[edit] Club
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- Champion: 2002
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- Champion: 2002
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- Champion: 2003-04
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- Champion: 2006
[edit] Individual
- Swedish goalkeeper of the year: 2006, 2007
[edit] Personal life
Shaaban grew up in Solna, Stockholm with a Finnish mother and an Egyptian father. As a result, he has both Swedish and Egyptian citizenship. He was raised as a Muslim and consequently doesn't drink alcohol. In his late teens to early twenties, Shaaban lived in Cairo where he played football and attended university. Prior to joining Arsenal F.C. in 2002, he also worked as a mountains explosives specialist.[citation needed]
Shaaban has one son named Gabriel born circa 2002 with his ex-wife.[citation needed] Several years after his divorce, he began dating a makeup artist named Frida.[6] Although they aren't married, the two have a son Noah born in the August of 2008.[7]
Shaaban made a move to Hammarby partly to be close to his son Gabriel. He currently lives in a large lake house with his son and partner.[7]
Reporters often credit Shaaban for remaining down-to-earth.[citation needed] Shaaban claims he has friends who are sheet metal workers to famous football players, one such football player is Fredrik Ljungberg.[citation needed] Ljungberg and Shaaban remain close after becoming friends whilst at Arsenal. The two are often seen drinking coffee at outdoor cafes.[citation needed]
Shaaban is known for his love of coffee. He is often seen with a cup of coffee in his hand. He once said, "I dare not keep count of how many cups I drink per day. But mom is actually even worse."[6]
