Chadi Cheikh Merai

Chadi Cheikh Merai (; born 20 January 1976), also known as Chadi, is a Syrian footballer who last played for and managed Pietrasanta Marina in the regional Eccellenza football division for clubs in Tuscany, Italy.

He played for Massese and Lucchese in the third-highest football league in Italy. He has an Italian passport, too.

Club career Cheick Merai was born in Latakia, Syria and started his career at local club Teshrin.

He went to Italy in 1999 and he started his Italian senior career on Serie D, the top level of the Italian non-professional football association. In the season 2001–2002 he played his first match on Serie C2, the fourth highest football league in Italy, the first with a professional status. Chadi so is the first Syrian footballer playing in an Italian professional team. In the season 2002–2003 Chadi scored two goals against Fiorentina. In the season 2005–2006 he reached Serie C1, the third highest Italian football league. As a player for Carrarese he played the last professional championship in the season 2011–2012.

International career Chadi was part of the Syria national team between 1996 and 1998, featuring in 7 caps.

Coaching career In August 2012, Pietrasanta Marina announced on their official website that Chadi signed a deal with the club as their new manager.

Honours

Player Teshrin Syrian Premier League: 1996/97 U.S. Poggibonsi Serie D winner: 2000/01 Massese Serie D winner: 2003/04 Serie C2 winner: 2004/05 Lucchese Serie D winner: 2008/09 Lega Pro Seconda Divisione winner: 2009/10 Carrarese Lega Pro Seconda Divisione winner: 2010/11

Syria AFC Youth Championship: Runners-up 1996