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.
 Saint-Maximin playing for France U17 in 2014 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Allan Irénée Saint-Maximin[1] | ||
| Date of birth | 12 March 1997[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) |
| 2015–2016 | → Hannover 96 (loan) | 16 | (1) |
| 2016–2017 | → Bastia (loan) | 34 | (3) |
| 2017–2019 | Nice | 64 | (9) |
| 2019–2023 | Newcastle United | 111 | (12) |
| 2023– | Al-Ahli | 30 | (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 22:35, 11 May 2024 (UTC) | |||
Early life
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
Youth career
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
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
2015–16: Transfer to Monaco and loan to Hannover 96
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
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
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
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
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
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
- As of match played 11 May 2024[71]
| 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 | 30 | 4 | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 31 | 4 | |||
| Career total | 290 | 36 | 15 | 1 | 10 | 0 | 8 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 324 | 39 | ||
Honours
Newcastle United
Individual
References
External links
- Allan Saint-Maximin – French league stats at Ligue 1 – also available in French
- Allan Saint-Maximin at the French Football Federation (in French)
- Allan Saint-Maximin – UEFA competition record (archive)
