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 2001âÂÂ2002 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 2002âÂÂ2003 Chadi scored two goals against Fiorentina.
- In the season 2005âÂÂ2006 he reached Serie C1, the third highest Italian football league.
- As a player for Carrarese he played the last professional championship in the season 2011âÂÂ2012.
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
Syria
References
External links