Romain Saïss

Romain Ghanem Paul Saïss (Arabic: رومان غانم بول سايس; born 26 March 1990) is a Moroccan professional footballer who plays as a centre-back or defensive midfielder for Saudi Pro League club Al-Shabab, on loan from Qatar Stars League club Al Sadd, and captains the Morocco national team.

Romain Saïss
Saïss with Morocco at the 2018 FIFA World Cup
Personal information
Full name Romain Ghanem Paul Saïss[1]
Date of birth (1990-03-26) 26 March 1990
Place of birth Bourg-de-Péage, France
Height 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in)[2]
Position(s) Centre-back, defensive midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Al-Shabab
(on loan from Al Sadd)
Number 14
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2010–2011 Valence 13 (4)
2011–2013 Clermont 48 (1)
2013–2015 Le Havre 61 (3)
2015–2016 Angers 35 (2)
2016–2022 Wolverhampton Wanderers 176 (13)
2022–2023 Beşiktaş 25 (1)
2023– Al Sadd 0 (0)
2023– → Al-Shabab (loan) 5 (2)
International career‡
2012– Morocco 78 (2)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 21 October 2023
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 17 October 2023 (UTC)

Saïss began his career with Valence, then played for Le Havre and Clermont of Ligue 2, and Angers of Ligue 1 before joining Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2016. He made 206 appearances and scored 15 goals, before moving to Beşiktaş in 2021.

Romain Saïss holds French and Moroccan nationalities. He represents Morocco at international level. A full international since 2012, he has earned over 70 caps for Morocco, becoming the team's captain in 2019. He has represented the nation at three Africa Cup of Nations tournaments and two FIFA World Cups, helping the team come fourth at the 2022 edition of the latter.

Club career

Early career

Saïss began his senior career with Valence in the Championnat de France Amateur 2 (fifth-tier), and supplemented his €500 monthly salary with washing up at his parents' restaurant. At 21, he signed his first professional contract with Clermont in Ligue 2.[3]

In June 2013, Saïss moved across Ligue 2 to Le Havre on a two year deal.[4] When it ended, he joined Ligue 1 side Angers on a two-year contract.[5]

Wolverhampton Wanderers

On 30 August 2016, Saïss moved to England, joining EFL Championship club Wolverhampton Wanderers for an undisclosed fee on a four-year deal.[6] He made his debut on 17 September in a 2–0 win at Newcastle United.[7] In the game, he was subjected to racial abuse by opponent Jonjo Shelvey, who was given a five-match ban and £100,000 fine by The FA in December.[8]

He scored his first goal for the club on 30 September 2017 in a 4–0 win against Burton Albion.[9]

Following Wolves' promotion to the Premier League in 2018, Saïss made his debut Premier League appearance as a substitute in a 1–1 draw with Manchester United at Old Trafford on 22 September 2018.[10] His first start in the Premier League came in a 2–1 defeat away to Cardiff City at the Cardiff City Stadium on 30 November.[11] He scored his first Premier League goal in a 1–1 draw with Fulham at Craven Cottage on 26 December 2018.[12] On 21 February 2019 he agreed a new contract until the summer of 2021.[13]

On 25 July 2019 Saïss made his debut appearance in UEFA European club football competition as a late substitute in Wolves's 2–0 home win against Crusaders in the 2019–20 UEFA Europa League Second Qualifying Round[14] and on 24 October he scored his first goal in such a competition when he scored the opening goal of a 2–1 away win at Slovan Bratislava in the 2019–20 UEFA Europa League group stage.[15]

Saïss triggered an automatic one-year extension to his contract on 18 March 2021, by making 20 starts in the Premier League during the 2020–21 season, tying him to the club until June 2022.[16] He was described as the Moroccan Maldini by head coach Bruno Lage on 15 December that year, after his display in the away Premier League tie at Brighton & Hove Albion, where he scored the only goal in a much longed-for win (Wolves's first-ever win at Brighton in the top-flight in seven attempts dating back to 1979).[17] He made his 100th appearance in the Premier League in 2–0 win away to Tottenham Hotspur on 13 February 2022.[18] His 200th competitive appearance in all competitions for Wolves was on 5 March 2022 in a home fixture against Crystal Palace.[19]

On 31 May 2022, Saïss announced that he would leave Wolves at the end of his contract on 1 July, having played 206 games for the club over six seasons, and scoring 15 goals, nine of them in the Premier League.[20]

Beşiktaş

On 14 June 2022, Saïss moved to Turkey, signing a two-year contract with Süper Lig club Beşiktaş.[21] He made his debut on 6 August as the season began with a 1–0 home win over Kayserispor.[22]

Al Sadd

On 24 July 2023, Saïss signed a two-year contract with Qatar Stars League club Al Sadd,[23] for a reported fee of €2.5 million, which could rise to €2.8 million with add-ons.[24]

Al-Shabab (loan)

On 5 September 2023, after making just 3 appearances for Al Sadd, the Qatari side sent Saïss on a season-long loan to Saudi Pro League club Al-Shabab.[25][26]

International career
Saïss (in white) defending against Spain at the 2018 FIFA World Cup

Saïss, who was born and raised in France to a Moroccan father and a French mother, chose to represent the Morocco national team. He made his debut in a 1–0 friendly loss to Togo in November 2012.[4]

Saïss was in the Moroccan squad that reached the quarter-finals of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon. He scored his first international goal in their 3–1 group win over Togo.[27] In June 2018, he was named in Morocco's 23-man squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia,[28] and featured in group games against Iran and Spain. After the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, in which Morocco made the last 16, Saïss became the captain of the Atlas Lions.[29]

On 10 November 2022, Saïss was named in Morocco's 26-man squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.[30][31] He scored the opening goal of a 2–0 group stage victory over Belgium on 27 November, Morocco's first goal of the tournament. The goal had previously been awarded to Abdelhamid Sabiri, but Saïss was later credited for the goal by FIFA.[32] In the semi-final against France – the first ever played by an African nation – he was substituted after 21 minutes due to injury as Morocco lost 2–0.[33]

Personal life

Saïss's father is Moroccan and his mother is French, both restaurant owners.[34] He is a Muslim and observes fasting in the month of Ramadan.[35]

Career statistics

Club
As of match played 21 October 2023[36]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup[lower-alpha 1] League cup[lower-alpha 2] Continental Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals Apps GoalsAppsGoals
Valence 2010–11 CFA 2 13400—— —134
Clermont 2011–12 Ligue 2 1711000— —181
2012–13 Ligue 2 3100020— —330
Total 4811020— —511
Clermont B 2012–13 CFA 2 10——— —10
Le Havre 2013–14 Ligue 2 2710010— —281
2014–15 Ligue 2 3421010— —362
Total 6131020— —643
Angers 2015–16 Ligue 1 3521010— —372
Wolverhampton Wanderers 2016–17[37] Championship 2401000— —250
2017–18[38] Championship 4241010— —444
2018–19[39] Premier League 1925020— —262
2019–20[40] Premier League 332200014[lower-alpha 3]1 —493
2020–21[41] Premier League 2732010— —303
2021–22[42] Premier League 3120011— —323
Total 1761311051141 —20615
Beşiktaş 2022–23 Süper Lig 25110—— —261
Al Sadd 2023–24 Qatar Stars League 0 0 0 0 — 0 0 3[lower-alpha 4] 0 3 0
Al-Shabab (loan) 2023–24 Saudi Pro League 5 2 1 0 — 0 0 0 0 6 2
Career total 351261601011413039428
  1. Includes Coupe de France, FA Cup, Turkish Cup
  2. Includes Coupe de la Ligue, EFL Cup
  3. Appearance(s) in UEFA Europa League
  4. Appearance(s) in Arab Club Champions Cup

International
As of match played 17 October 2023[43][44]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
Morocco 201210
201670
2017131
2018110
201990
202030
202190
2022191
202360
Total782
Scores and results list Morocco's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Saïss goal.
List of international goals scored by Romain Saïss[43]
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
120 January 2017Stade d'Oyem, Oyem, Gabon Togo2–13–12017 Africa Cup of Nations
227 November 2022Al Thumama Stadium, Doha, Qatar Belgium1–02–02022 FIFA World Cup

Honours

Wolverhampton Wanderers

Individual

Orders

References
  1. "2018/19 Premier League squads confirmed". Premier League. 3 September 2018. Retrieved 4 September 2018.
  2. "Romain Saïss". Beşiktaş J.K. Archived from the original on 12 July 2022. Retrieved 12 July 2022.
  3. Masi, Joseph (7 April 2019). "Big Interview: Wolves' Romain Saiss washed pots, now he is dreaming of lifting the FA Cup". Express & Star. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
  4. "Romain Saïss au HAC pour 2 ans" [Romain Saïss to HAC for 2 years] (in French). Le Havre AC. 27 June 2013. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
  5. "Romain Saïss signe deux ans à Angers" [Romain Saïss signs for two years at Angers]. L'Equipe (in French). 3 July 2015. Retrieved 23 August 2016.
  6. "Romain Saiss: Wolves sign Angers midfielder for undisclosed fee". BBC Sport. 30 August 2016.
  7. "Newcastle 0–2 Wolves". BBC Sport. 17 September 2016.
  8. "FA reveals reasons for racial abuse ban for Newcastle's Jonjo Shelvey". The Guardian. Press Association. 23 December 2016. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
  9. "Burton Albion 0–4 Wolverhampton Wanderers". BBC Sport. 30 September 2017.
  10. Bysouth, Alex (22 September 2018). "Manchester United 1–1 Wolves: Joao Moutinho earns visitors draw at Old Trafford". BBC Sport. Retrieved 22 February 2019.
  11. Pritchard, Dafydd (30 November 2018). "Cardiff City 2–1 Wolverhampton Wanderers". BBC Sport. Retrieved 22 February 2019.
  12. Skelton, Jack (26 December 2018). "Fulham 1–1 Wolves: Aleksandar Mitrovic 'wants to cry' after missing chances in draw". BBC Sport.
  13. Hatfield, Luke (21 February 2019). "Romain Saiss signs new Wolves deal". Express & Star. Retrieved 22 February 2019.
  14. "Europa League: Wolves beat gritty Crusaders 2–0 on European return". BBC Sport. 25 July 2019. Retrieved 25 October 2019.
  15. Johnston, Neil (24 October 2019). "Slovan Bratislava 1–2 Wolves: Raul Jimenez hits winner in Europa League". BBC Sport. Retrieved 25 October 2019.
  16. Edwards, Joe (18 March 2021). "Exclusive: Wolves' Romain Saiss earns one-year contract extension". Express & Star. Retrieved 3 May 2021.
  17. Emons, Michael (15 December 2021). "Brighton 0–1 Wolves: Romain Saiss goal takes visitors up to eighth in Premier League". BBC Sport. Retrieved 5 March 2022.
  18. Bysouth, Alex (13 February 2022). "Tottenham Hotspur 0–2 Wolverhampton Wanderers:Conte's side beaten at home". BBC Sport.
  19. Mallows, Tom (5 March 2022). "Wolves 0–2 Crystal Palace: Jean-Philippe Mateta and Wilfried Zaha seal win for Eagles". BBC Sport.
  20. "Thank you, Romain". www.wolves.co.uk. 31 May 2022. Retrieved 17 June 2022.
  21. "Romain Saïss joins Beşiktaş". Beşiktaş JK. 17 June 2022.
  22. "Beşiktaş - Kayserispor maçı sonrası Romain Saiss konuştu! "İlk maçı kazanmak çok önemliydi"" [After the Beşiktaş - Kayserispor match, Romain Saïss spoke! “Winning the first game was very important”]. Sabah (in Turkish). 7 August 2022. Retrieved 6 December 2022.
  23. "Official: Al-Sadd sign Moroccan player Romain Saïss". Al Sadd SC. 24 July 2023. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
  24. "Besiktas' Romain Saiss moves to Qatar's Al Sadd". AA. 24 July 2023. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
  25. "Romain Saiss confirmado como reforço do Al Shabab" [Romain Saiss confirmed ad Al Shabab's reinforcement]. Bola na Rede (in European Portuguese). 5 September 2023. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
  26. "رومان سايس ينتقل إلى الشباب السعودي". Hespress - هسبريس جريدة إلكترونية مغربية (in Arabic). 5 September 2023. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
  27. "Morocco fight back to beat Togo and keep Africa Cup of Nations hopes alive". The Guardian. Reuters. 20 January 2017. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
  28. "Morocco announce 23-man World Cup squad". African Football. 4 June 2018. Retrieved 22 February 2019.
  29. Boyle, Paul (27 December 2019). "Romain Saïss: 'Nuno does a fantastic job. It's normal other teams want him'". The Guardian. Retrieved 13 May 2020.
  30. "Morocco World Cup 2022 squad: Who's in and who's out". Goal. Retrieved 10 November 2022.
  31. "Moroccan coach unveils list of 26 Atlas Lions in 2022 World Cup". Hespress. 10 November 2022. Retrieved 10 November 2022.
  32. Aamari, Oussama (28 November 2022). "Morocco-Belgium: FIFA Credits Romain Saiss with First Goal". Morocco World News. Retrieved 14 December 2022.
  33. McNulty, Phil (14 December 2022). "France 2–0 Morocco". BBC Sport. Retrieved 17 December 2022.
  34. Doyle, Paul (14 December 2017). "Wolves' Romain Saïss: 'Busquets is an inspiration – his positioning, his simplicity'". The Guardian. Retrieved 6 December 2022.
  35. Edwards, Joe (24 April 2020). "Hard to be home alone admits Wolves' Romain Saiss". Express & Star. Retrieved 13 May 2020.
  36. "R. Saïss". Soccerway. Retrieved 23 August 2016.
  37. "Games played by Romain Saïss in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 28 July 2017.
  38. "Games played by Romain Saïss in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 17 May 2019.
  39. "Games played by Romain Saïss in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 17 May 2019.
  40. "Games played by Romain Saïss in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 29 July 2019.
  41. "Games played by Romain Saïss in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 May 2021.
  42. "Games played by Romain Saïss in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 August 2021.
  43. Romain Saïss at National-Football-Teams.com
  44. "Games played by Romain Saiss in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Retrieved 22 February 2019.
  45. Anderson, John, ed. (2018). Football Yearbook 2018–2019. London: Headline Publishing Group. pp. 386–387. ISBN 978-1-4722-6106-9.
  46. "IFFHS". www.iffhs.com. Retrieved 16 January 2023.
  47. "Les dix types de wissams royaux accordés par Mohammed VI". Archived from the original on 15 June 2007.
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