Abdul Razak

Abdul Razak (born 11 November 1992) is an Ivorian former professional footballer who played as a midfielder.

He came through the youth academies at Crystal Palace and Manchester City, signing professional terms with the latter and playing in five Premier League games. He also played in and won the FA Community Shield in 2012. Whilst a City player he spent time on loan with Portsmouth, Brighton & Hove Albion, Charlton Athletic and Russian Premier League side Anzhi Makhachkala. He joined Anzhi on a permanent deal in 2013, but a season later returned to England with West Ham United. He would go on to play for OFI, Doncaster Rovers, AFC Eskilstuna, IFK Göteborg, IK Sirius and Örgryte IS.

Razak earned five caps for the Ivory Coast national team from 2012 to 2013, and played at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.

Club career

Manchester City Having left Crystal Palace's youth set-up in 2008, Razak joined the Manchester City Elite Development Squad in July 2010. However, he was not chosen to play his first game for the EDS until 3 February 2011 when he was one of the starting eleven in the EDS team that beat the Bury reserve team 2–0 at Ewen Fields in the Manchester Senior Cup. Only two days later, Razak was then given a surprise debut for the first team, coming on as a substitute for David Silva in the final minutes of the Premier League game against West Bromwich Albion on 5 February 2011, a 3–0 win at the City of Manchester Stadium. His unexpected first team debut makes Razak the ninth youth player to graduate from Manchester City's academy under manager Roberto Mancini in just over a year of the latter's management at the club. The day after his debut for the Manchester City first team Razak was added to the first team squad. In his second game for the EDS team three days later the young Ivorian was shown a straight red card for a rash challenge in the 51st minute of the Premier Reserve League North game against Bolton Wanderers.

He made his first start on 21 September 2011 in the third round of the Football League Cup against Birmingham City, playing for 86 minutes before being substituted for Luca Scapuzzi. He ended that season with one league appearance as Manchester City won the 2011–12 Premier League in dramatic circumstances on the last day of the season.

On 28 October 2011, Razak was loaned to Championship club Portsmouth on a one-month deal. He made his debut against Derby County the next day, coming on as a 62nd-minute substitute in a game Portsmouth lost 3–1. After one month with Pompey and three appearances, Razak returned to Manchester City.

On 17 February 2012, Razak, along with fellow City youngster Gai Assulin joined Championship side Brighton & Hove Albion on a three-month loan deal.

On 12 August 2012, Razak was an unused substitute as City won the 2012 FA Community Shield 3–2 against Chelsea at Villa Park.

On 29 September 2012, Razak joined a third Championship club, Charlton Athletic, on a three-month loan deal. After one month, he returned to Manchester City having made only two first team appearances.

Later career On 2 September 2013, Razak joined Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala on a season-long loan deal, with a trigger clause that once he made an appearance for Anzhi the transfer becomes a permanent one. On 17 October, the clause was activated.

On 30 January 2014, Razak returned to the Premier League, when he joined West Ham United on a short-term contract. In April that year, he left the club without having played a first team game.

Razak played for OFI in Super League Greece before coming back to England to train with Doncaster Rovers. On 10 February 2015, he signed for Rovers for the rest of the League One season.

In January 2017, Razak transferred from AFC Eskilstuna to IFK Göteborg on a three-year deal. After only five appearances and a loan back to AFC, in February 2018 he left for another Swedish team, IK Sirius Fotboll. In February 2020, he signed for Örgryte IS, IFK's rivals.

International career Razak made his début for the Ivory Coast national football team against Russia in a friendly match in August 2012. He was included in the Ivory Coast squad for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations and was in Les Éléphants starting line-up for their third group match against Algeria.

Career statistics

Club

International

Honours Manchester City FA Community Shield: 2012