Aymen Tahar (; born 2 October 1989) is an Algerian professional footballer who last played as a midfielder for Greek Super League 2 club AEL. At international level, he has represented the Algeria U20 national team.
Aymen was born in Algiers, Algeria, and raised in Sheffield, England to an Algerian family. Though he grew up supporting Arsenal, Aymen played in Sunday League football and his performance caught the attention of Luis Silva, who had a role of helping him join the Sheffield United academy in 2005 where he progressed through the ranks and was a regular in the reserve side up to 2008âÂÂ2009 season. He made his début at the end of February 2009, coming on as a late sub for Lee Hendrie against Hull City in the FA Cup 5th round. At the end of the season, Tahar was released by the club.
After leaving Sheffield United, he joined Staveley Miners Welfare and had a successful spell there, having become a key player for the club.
On 8 February 2012, Tahar joined Romanian club Gaz Metan MediaÃÂ, signing a contract until 2015. Tahar later stated in an interview that he find it difficult to move away from England to Romania at first.
Tahar made his Gaz Metan Mediaàdebut, where he came on as a substitute in the 66th minute, in a 2âÂÂ0 win over Dinamo BucureÃÂti on 3 March 2012. After struggling in the first team for the first two seasons at Gaz Metan MediaÃÂ, Tahar began to established himself in the first team and then scored his first Gaz Metan Mediaàgoal on 15 September 2013, in a 2âÂÂ1 win over BraÃÂov, with his second goal for the club later came on 26 October 2013, in a 3âÂÂ1 win over CeahlÃÂul Piatra NeamÃÂ. Tahar later ended the 2013âÂÂ14 season with 33 appearances and two goals. The 2014âÂÂ15 season then saw Tahar regained his first team place and started the opening game of the season well when he scored his first goal of the season, in a 3âÂÂ0 win over BotoÃÂani Tahar then later added two more goals later in the season against CeahlÃÂul Piatra Neamàand Dinamo BucureÃÂti. Tahar went on to finish the season with 30 appearances and three goals, but was unable to help the club survive relegation from Liga I.
On 30 June 2015, Tahar joined Romanian club Steaua BucureÃÂti, signing a contract until 30 June 2019. Tahar revealed he nearly joined Slovak side Slovan Bratislava before moving to Steaua BucureÃÂti. Tahar made his Steaua BucureÃÂti debut, playing 14 minutes after coming on as a substitute, in a 0âÂÂ0 draw against Petrolul PloieÃÂti on 11 July 2015. After being left out of the squad in late-August, Tahar then regained his first team place and scored his first goal for the club in the Round of 32 of Cupa României, in a 1âÂÂ0 win over Universitatea Cluj. Weeks later on 3 October 2015, Tahar scored his first league goal for the club, in a 2âÂÂ1 win over Politehnica IaÃÂi. However, under the management of LaurenÃÂiu Reghecampf, Tahar soon fell out of favour after his form slumped and was told he can leave the club.
No longer wanted at Steaua BucureÃÂti, Tahar joined Primeira Liga side Boavista on loan until the end of the season. Tahar then made his Boavista debut on 7 February 2016, where he played 4 minutes, in a 1âÂÂ0 win over Paços de Ferreira. Then on 11 March 2016, Tahar provided an assist for Zé Manuel to help Boavista win 3âÂÂ0 against MarÃÂtimo. Tahar went on to make eleven appearances for Boavista and returned to his parent club. Upon returning to Steaua BucureÃÂti, Tahar was told by the club management that he was no longer in the first team.
On 4 August 2016, Tahar moved abroad to Asia, where he joined J1 League side Sagan Tosu.
On 30 January 2017, Tahar returned to Romanian first league team Gaz Metan MediaÃÂ for which he played between 2012 and 2015.
In November 2008, Tahar was chosen for the elite training camp for the Algeria U20 team.
Tahar is also eligible to play for England, having been raised in England and receiving a British Citizenship.
Steaua BucureÃÂti