Rami Shaaban

Rami Shaaban (Swedish pronunciation: [ˈrɑːmɪ ˈʃɑːban]; Arabic: رامي شعبان‎‎; born 30 June 1975) is a Swedish former professional football player. He is the son of an Egyptian father and a Finnish mother. During his career he played for a number of teams in England, including Arsenal, and in Sweden. He was a Swedish national team member until 2008. He ended his playing career after the 2011 season.

Early career

Shaaban was born in Solna, Stockholm. He started his senior career at local club Saltsjöbadens IF before moving to Cairo to play for Zamalek and Ittihad Osman, while also studying at university. After a couple of years, Shaaban returned to his hometown and joined Nacka FF, a club based close to where he grew up. After a string of impressive performances, he was asked to join Swedish first division outfit Djurgården and, in August 2002, earned a move to Arsenal.

Arsenal

In August 2002, Shaaban joined Arsenal as a potential replacement for David Seaman. When Seaman was injured, Shaaban played in two matches in the UEFA Champions League at home against PSV Eindhoven and away against AS Roma, as well as in three matches in the Premier League. Unfortunately, Shaaban broke his leg during training on Christmas Eve 2002, ultimately sidelining himself for the rest of the season. Due to the severity of his injury, Shaaban feared he would not be able to play again, but after rigorous physical therapy Shaaban was able to resume playing. When Seaman left Arsenal in the summer of 2003 Arsène Wenger signed Jens Lehmann, who played every match that season as Arsenal went undefeated for the entire 2003–04 league season. Shaaban was plagued by injuries and failed to become Arsenal's first-choice keeper. In January 2004, Shaaban was loaned to West Ham United for a month, but did not make any appearances for the Hammers. He returned to Arsenal after his loan spell and due to an injury to Stuart Taylor he was on the bench for a number of league games as Arsenal completed their Invincibles season. He was released by Arsenal at the end of that season.

Other clubs

In February 2005, he signed for Brighton & Hove Albion on non-contract terms, making his debut in a 2–1 victory over Sunderland, and signed a short-term contract lasting until the end of the season days later. After his contract expired he was released on a free transfer and had a trial at Dundee United, playing his only match as United beat Sheffield Wednesday to win the City of Discovery Cup. He also had a trial at Bristol City. However, Shaaban could not agree terms and was snapped up by Fredrikstad FK.

On 12 February 2008, Shaaban signed a five-year contract with Swedish team Hammarby IF.

Shaaban was called up to the Sweden squad for the 2006 World Cup, although he did not have an international cap to his name. He made his debut in the warm up game with Finland as a substitute, coming on for 45 minutes and keeping a clean sheet in a 0–0 draw. On 10 June 2006, he played in the 2006 World Cup contest against Trinidad and Tobago after starter Andreas Isaksson was hit by a shot in his face and hit the ground with his head two days before the match.

He also played four games in the Euro 2008 qualifiers, in which he kept a vital clean sheet against Spain national football team, and was also a member of the nation's final stage squad.

Club

Djurgårdens IF:

• Allsvenskan:

• Svenska Cupen:

Arsenal FC:

• Premier League:

• FA Cup:

Fredrikstad FK:

• Norwegian Football Cup:

Dundee United FC

• Forfarshire Cup:

• City of Discovery Cup

Individual

• Swedish Goalkeeper of the Year (2): 2006, 2007

Shaaban grew up in Solna, Stockholm with a Finnish mother and an Egyptian father. As a result, he has both Swedish and Egyptian citizenship. He was raised as a Muslim. In his late teens to early twenties, Shaaban lived in Cairo, where he played football and attended university. Prior to joining Arsenal, he also worked as a mountain explosives specialist.

Shaaban has one son, Gabriel, born 2002 to his ex-wife. Several years after his divorce, he began dating a makeup artist named Frida. Although they are not married, the two have a son Noah, born in August 2008. Shaaban made a move to Hammarby partly to be close to Gabriel. He currently lives in a large lake house with his son and wife.

Reporters often credit Shaaban for remaining down-to-earth. Shaaban claims he has friends ranging from sheet metal workers to footballers, such as Fredrik Ljungberg: Ljungberg and Shaaban remain close after becoming friends whilst at Arsenal. The two are often seen drinking coffee together.

Shaaban is known for his love of coffee; he is often seen with a cup of coffee in his hand. He once said, "I dare not keep count of how many cups I drink per day. But mom is actually even worse."