The 25-year-old developed mostly in Serie A before moving to MLS
The Montreal Impact announced its biggest addition of the offseason when it signed Saphir Taïder to a four-year deal from Bologna FC 1909. The French Algerian brings an array of talents to the table as a tenacious central midfielder and will be the Bleu-blanc-noir’s newest Designated Player. His time in some of Europe’s top leagues as a starting player gives the 25-year-old experience that is years beyond his actual age.
Taïder’s career began when he joined French club Grenoble Foot 38 at just 15 years old, impressing in the academy before getting his break with the first team in 2010. After just a season, he joined Bologna on a free transfer in 2011, aged just 19. Saphir wasted no time making his presence felt with the Italian side, playing 34 games with Bologna in his first season with the team, earning three goals and garnering interest from some of the bigger clubs in Europe – including Inter Milan.
Interest from Inter Milan
At 21 years old, Taïder officially joined Inter Milan on a co-ownership deal with Bologna under head coach Walter Mazzarri. He played 25 games in his first season with the Nerazurri, earning a goal and an assist under the famed Italian manager, playing alongside players like Javier Zanetti, Diego Milito and Rodrigo Palacio to name a few.
After a season in Milan, Taïder was loaned to U.S. Sassuolo Calcio in Serie A in 2014. Sassuolo finished 17th the year before in its first season in Serie A, barely escaping relegation, but the addition of Taïder in midfield helped the Italian side improve drastically and earn a comfortable 12th place finish in the middle of the table, with the Algerian playing 27 games, earning three goals and three assists.
Return to Bologna
At the end of the season, Taïder would go on loan again, this time back with the club that gave him his first start in Italy’s first division, Bologna. He would play two full seasons with Bologna while on loan from Inter Milan, becoming one of its more impactful midfield players, before the Rossoblu bought the Algerian outright from their Italian counterparts after his second season back.
Taïder brings international experience to the table as well, and even featured in Algeria’s World Cup selection in 2014, helping Les Fennecs reach the round of 16 before falling to the eventual champion, Germany. In 42 games with the Algerian national team, Taïder has scored five goals.
Taïder is Bleu-blanc-noir
His addition to the Impact’s midfield will advantage the Bleu-blanc-noir defensively, as one of his biggest skills is recovering the ball. His technical ability, stamina and quickness allow the Algerian to get up the field with possession fast, making counter attacks deadly when he’s on the ball. His qualities will serve the 25-year-old well in MLS, where athleticism among players is a given, not an exception. Although he’s more defensive in his role in midfield, Taïder is also an apt shooter, and knows how to put the ball in the net, like he did here against Juventus:
