Max-Alian Gradel Career, Current Team, Position, Awards & Honours

Max-Alian Gradel is an Ivorian professional footballer who plays as a winger for Turkish Süper Lig club Gaziantep and the Ivory Coast national team. He received his first call-up to the Ivory Coast national team in November 2010. Gradel began playing football in the Ivory Coast at two years old and was offered trials with Arsenal, Chelsea, West Ham United, and Leicester City.

He signed his first professional contract with Leicester in 2007 and played for Leeds United before signing a three-year deal with AFC Bournemouth in 2008. He then joined French club Saint-Étienne in 2011 and later returned to England to join Bournemouth on a four-year deal.

He returned to the Ivory Coast national team in 2015 and was called up to the Ivory Coast squad for the first time in 2010. Gradel played in the Ivory Coast squad that finished runner-up to Zambia at the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations and was a member of les Éléphants’ 2014 FIFA World Cup squad.

Max-Alian Gradel Career

Gradel began playing football in the Ivory Coast when he was two years old. After moving to the UK from Paris, France, in 2004, he attended Lewisham College Football Academy under the tutelage of then-Head Coach Aaron Jacob. He attended the Bon Giorno Cup in the Netherlands and scored 11 of 17 goals. After moving to the UK, Gradel attended trials with Arsenal, Chelsea, West Ham United, and Leicester City before signing with Leicester.

Gradel moved to Leeds United and signed his first professional contract with Leicester in May 2007. He then joined AFC Bournemouth on a one-month loan in August 2007, which was extended for the season on transfer deadline day. However, he was unable to play as many games due to the death of his mother in early October. Gradel returned to Leicester early on 3 January 2008, but was told by Bournemouth manager Kevin Bond that he could take all the time he needed to return to England.

In August 2011, Gradel joined French club Saint-Étienne for an undisclosed fee, reported to be £3 million, signing a four-year contract with the club. He was handed the number 9 shirt upon his arrival at the club. In the 2014–15 season, Gradel was Saint Etienne’s top scorer in Ligue 1 with 17 goals and three assists.

Gradel returned to England in 2015, joining former side Bournemouth on a four-year deal for £7 million. He tore a cruciate ligament in his knee during a match against Leicester City, ruling him out for six months.

In 2020, Gradel joined Turkish Süper Lig club Sivasspor on a free transfer after mutually agreeing to terminate his contract with former club Toulouse. He scored his first goal in the final of the Turkish Cup against Kayserispor in May 2022.

Gradel played his 100th international match in a 2–0 away win over Comoros in March 2023, and was included in the final 27-man squad for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations hosted by Ivory Coast in December 2023.

Max-Alian Gradel Current Team & Position

Max-Alian Gradel plays as a winger for Turkish Süper Lig club Gaziantep and the Ivory Coast national team.

Max-Alian Gradel Awards & Honours

Max-Alian Gradel has achieved success with various clubs, including Leeds United, Saint-Étienne, Sivasspor, and Ivory Coast. He has won the Football League One, Coupe de la Ligue, Turkish Cup, and Africa Cup of Nations. Gradel has also been named Leeds United Fans’ Player of The Year, Players’ Player of the Year, Africa Cup of Nations Team of the Tournament, Super Lig Winger of the Season, and Süper Lig Team of the Season.

Source: DKlassgh.net