Football: Algerian star Islam Slimani signs for Brazil

Algerian international striker Islam Slimani arrived in Brazil on Wednesday August 23, 2023, where he has signed until December 31, 2024 with Coritiba, who are struggling to stay in the top flight, the club announced.

Algeria’s all-time top scorer (42 goals in 94 matches), Islam Slimani , 35, was cheered by around 700 fans when he arrived at Curitiba airport in southern Brazil on Wednesday morning.

The 1.88m striker played for Anderlecht last season. He scored nine goals in 16 league and Europa Conference League matches, but did not renew his contract with the Belgian club.

After starting out with Algeria’s CR Belouizdad, Slimani travelled extensively: to Sporting Portugal (2013-2016), Leicester (2016-2018), Fenerbahçe (2018-2019), Monaco (2019-2020), Lyon (2021-2022) and then back again for a few months with Sporting and Brest (2022-2023).

Coritiba have just suffered four consecutive defeats in the Brazilian league, most recently against Flamengo (3-2 last weekend), and are languishing in penultimate place in the standings.

David