Riyad Mahrez

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Mahrez joined Leicester City on a three-and-a-half-year contract for around £450,000 after being scouted by Steve Walsh. He made his debut on 25 January 2014 as a substitute against Middlesbrough and scored his first goal for the club on 15 March 2014 in a 3–1 win over Blackpool. By the end of that season, Leicester won the Championship. In the 2015–16 campaign, he became the first Algerian to score a Premier League hat-trick (against Swansea City) and was named PFA Players' Player of the Year, becoming the first African to win the accolade.

In Their Own Story

On 5 December 2015, Mahrez scored a hat-trick as Leicester defeated Swansea City 3–0 to go top of the Premier League. His form saw him score four goals in the opening four games of the season and seven goals in his first ten league matches. By April 2016, he was one of four Leicester players named in the PFA Team of the Year before winning the PFA Players' Player of the Year award.

Reader's Guide

Mahrez arrived at Leicester City on 11 January 2014 from Le Havre. He made his debut on 25 January 2014 and scored his first goal against Nottingham Forest. During the 2015–16 season, he won the PFA Players' Player of the Year award and became the first Algerian to win a Premier League medal. He signed a new four-year contract in August 2016 but left for Manchester City in July 2018 after asking for a transfer.

Did You Know?

• Mahrez initially thought Leicester City was a rugby club when he first heard of them.
• He lived with Mathias Pogba while playing for Quimper.
• His transfer value skyrocketed after his standout performances in the 2015–16 season.
• Mahrez's popularity significantly boosted Leicester City's fanbase in Algeria.