Hajry Redouane

Born in the Bourgogne quarter of Casablanca, Redouane began playing professionally with local Raja CA Casablanca. In 1987 the 23-year-old moved to Portugal where he would remain until his retirement, starting with top level giants S.L. Benfica. With Benfica, he played and lost the 1988 European Cup final, becoming the first Moroccan to play a European Cup/Champions League final. He was also the second Moroccan to play an UEFA club competition final after Merry Krimau who had played the two legs of the 1978 UEFA Cup final with SC Bastia. However, barred by several players, including experienced Portuguese internationals Carlos Manuel and Shéu, Hajry – known by his first name in the country – left after the 1987–88 season, signing with Algarve's S.C. Farense. After only one year he joined fellow league side C.F. União, but returned to Faro at the end of the campaign. Hajry was an important midfield element during his second spell with Farense, eventually amassing more than 300 official appearances. In 1994–95 he scored twice in 25 matches to help the club finish fifth and qualify for the first time ever to the UEFA Cup, assisting compatriot Hassan Nader – his teammate at the club for eight years – in many of his 21 successful strikes (competition best). Hajry played with Farense until June 2000, retiring professionally at the age of 36 (he still played some amateur football in Portugal afterwards) after never having appeared in less than 20 games during his 11-year stint with…

Benfica

European Cup runner-up: 1987–88 C.F. União

Portuguese second division : 1989-90