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A former graduate of the Clairefontaine academy, Yacine primarily plays as an attacking midfielder and a winger. He is known for his effective dribbling and amazing technical skill. He is also a France youth international having earned caps since he was 14. Brahimi’s greatest quality is his technical ability. He is a delicate dribbler who can eliminate several opponents in milliseconds in a very small space on the field. The 5.7ft schemer is an expert in protecting the ball and is also a precise passer.
The 19-year-old prefers to play behind the strikers where he can use his vision of the field. Despite his short stature, Brahimi is also a tough player who can score goals as well. It is however clear that even though he has many qualities, he still has to progress physically and develop his strength.
Yacine began his career playing for his local club in the eastern suburbs of Paris, ASB Montreuil, located in Seine-Saint-Denis. After a four year stint there, he joined CO Vincennois, known for producing Ligue 1 starlet Blaise Matuidi, in nearby Vincennes. Two years later, Yacine was selected to attend the prestigious Clairefontaine academy in order to further his development. Prior to joining Rennes, Brahimi, was educated at "Le Centre Technique National Fernand Sastre," or as it is more commonly known around the world: Clairefontaine. Between 2003 and 2006 the tricky midfielder received a similar education to the one handed out to the likes of Thierry Henry, William Gallas, Hatem Ben Arfa and Gabriel Obertan, to name just a few.
While training at Clairefontaine during the week, Yacine regularly played for Vincennois on the weekends. Also while attending the academy, he spent a year at the Camp des Loges, the youth training center of Paris Saint-Germain. Despite being courted by several European clubs, following his stint at Clairefontaine, he signed an élite (youth) contract with Rennes. Brahimi has spent his whole professional career at Rennes and in the youth teams of Les Rouges et Noirs, Brahimi has shone. Winning the national championship at Under-18 level in 2007 and then the Gambardella Cup (the French national cup for players under 19), the following year.
Brahimi joined Rennes and quickly became a part of a slew of talent in the club's youth academy. He joined Damien Le Tallec, the younger brother of Anthony Le Tallec, Yann M'Vila, Yohann Lasimant, Kévin Théophile-Catherine, and Samuel Souprayen as the club's most sought after prospects. As expected, the talent effectively lived up to expectations winning the 2006 edition of the Tournoi Carisport, capturing the under-18 championship for the 2006–07 season, and also winning the Coupe Gambardella in 2008. Following the 2007–08 season, on 23 June, he signed his first professional contract agreeing to a three-year deal. Though he had a professional contract, he was not assigned a number on the senior team and, instead played on the club's Championnat de France amateur team appearing in 22 matches scoring 3 goals helping the side finish 1st among professional clubs in their group, thus qualifying for the playoffs, where they lost to Lyon in the semi-finals.
Following a successful international season with France, Rennes decided it would be best to send the young player on loan to receive some much needed playing time. On 3 July 2009, the club announced that Brahimi would joined Ligue 2 club Clermont Foot on loan for the entire 2009–10 season. He arrived at the club following the 2009 UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship, alongside fellow loanee from Juventus Carlo Vecchione, and was assigned the number 28 kit. He made his professional debut on the opening match day of the season appearing as a substitute in a 1–2 defeat to Arles-Avignon.
As early as the age of 13, Brahimi began featuring with regional youth sides playing for Île-de-France alongside future international teammates Mamadou Sakho, Tripy Makonda, Maxime Partouche, and Sébastien Corchia. He has played for all of France's national youth teams beginning with the under-16 team earning his first selection in March 2006. He was a member of the under-17 team that reached the semi-finals at the 2007 UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship before losing to England.
Scouts were out in force at the recent Under-19 European Championship in Ukraine, which was eventually won by the hosts in a 2-0 final victory over England. A number of players stood out, including the likes of Nathan Delfouneso (England), Adem Ljajic (Serbia) and Denys Garmash (Ukraine).With the under-19 team, Brahimi appeared in all 19 matches scoring 12 goals. He was immense during the UEFA U-19 Championship qualification leading the team with 5 goals contributing to the club's qualification for the tournament. In the tournament, he scored two goals, one against Serbia in the opening match and another against Spain. The game-winning goal against Spain assured France's progression to the semi-finals where they lost to England, which was, essentially, the same team they lost to in 2007.
France reached the semi-finals and appear to have yet again produced some burgeoning young talent. Chief among them was attacking midfielder Yacine Brahimi, whose winning goal against Spain in the quarter-finals provided a significant glimpse of his talent.
A number of European clubs have been sniffing around Brahimi, including Real Madrid. Brahimi preferred to stay at Rennes and is contracted to the Ligue 1 club until the end of season 2010/2011.
After establishing himself in the Rennes reserve team during 2008/2009, Brahimi has been sent on loan to Ligue 2 side Clermont Foot for the upcoming campaign where he is expected to play and gain some crucial experience, by which time he should be ready for a crack at the top division in France.
Since he was sixteen, Yacine Brahimi has played at every level of the French national teams. His goal against Spain at the European Championship was reminiscent of Robert Pires, as he cut in from the left and shot with his right.
Other scouts have likened him to Youri Djorkaeff due to similar playing styles and due to his Algerian heritage, Zinedine Zidane comparisons also seem likely
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