More shy in front of the microphones than on the pitch, Billal Brahimi exchanged his first words with journalists since his arrival from Angers a week ago. Meanwhile, the 21-year-old Franco-Algerian winger had time to take his first steps in red and black on the lawn of the Parc des Princes on Monday evening. “We had a very good performance with the team. The group has really welcomed me since my arrival and that put me at ease for this match.“
It perfectly matches the needs of the team
Arrived at the end of the transfer window for an estimated sum of 7 million euros, the ex-Angevin does not carry the price of his transfer as a burden. “Numbers don’t interest me. Everyone has their job. I am the field.“So it’s director of football Julien Fournier who takes the microphone.”On these offensive positions, the market is very complicated. Honestly I don’t think the investment is high. There will be high expectations on Billal but he signed for the long term. We saw it at Le Mans (10 goals / 12 assists in National last season, editor’s note) and his performances had impressed us. We met him this winter just before our match in Cholet. It perfectly matches the needs of the team. He’ll take us from the deep.”
Keep the best of my past experiences
It is indeed the first quality of this player in the “atypical profile” as he says himself. Fast, powerful, Billal Brahimi never hesitates to provoke the ball at his feet. Particular characteristics developed during his also atypical career. “I started playing in the Paris region then a Portuguese agent allowed me to sign in Portuguese D2. I then signed in England at Middlesbrough (2nd division) before arriving in Reims. I tried to keep the best of my past experiences.” Loaned to Le Mans where he revealed himself, he committed last summer to Angers (9 games / 2 assists) before taking a new step on the Côte d’Azur. “I am very proud to be here. I took number 14 because it’s my birthday. ” It will be in a month. On March 14 he will celebrate his 22nd birthday. By then he will have faced Marseille, Lyon or Paris with the Gym. What very quickly to get into the bath.