Kenny Saief


Kenneth "Kenny" Hasan Saief is an Israeli-American soccer player of Druze descent who plays for Belgian team Anderlecht, and the United States national team.

Early life

Saief was born in Panama City, Florida, U.S., to Druze-Israeli parents and moved to Israel at the age of three.

Club career

Saief began his professional career with Bnei Sakhnin in 2011, before he was transferred to Hapoel Haifa one season later. The next year, he moved to Hapoel Ironi Kiryat Shmona and reached the final of the Israel State Cup. Saief made only two appearances however, which resulted in a transfer to Ironi Nir Ramat HaSharon. There he gained more playing opportunities.
Saief attracted the attention of Belgian Pro League team K.A.A. Gent, who signed him for a three-year deal on August 8, 2014. On May 22, 2018, Saief officially signed to Anderlecht.
On March 6, 2019, Saief was loaned to FC Cincinnati of Major League Soccer. On March 24, 2019, Saief scored his first MLS goal against the New England Revolution. On June 11, 2019, Saief's loan was terminated due to injury complications.
On February 12, 2020 he was loaned to Polish Ekstraklasa's Lechia Gdańsk until the end of 2019/2020 season.

International

Saief has represented the Israel national team at various youth levels. He reportedly stated that he expected to play for the United States men's national soccer team, although he was called up to the Israel national football team and made his debut in a friendly 2–1 loss to Croatia.
On June 3, 2017 Saief was called up by the United States men's national soccer team as part of their 40-man preliminary roster for the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup. As part of his callup, Saief filed a one-time switch with FIFA, tying him permanently to the US program.
On June 22, 2017 U.S. Soccer confirmed that Saief had been approved by FIFA for a change of association.
He was chosen to make his first start for the USMNT against Paraguay on March 27, 2018.

Career statistics

Honors

;Gent