Gabriel Somi

Gabriel Somi (born 24 August 1991 in Örebro, Sweden)[1] is a Swedish-born Syrian footballer from Assyrian origin who played most recently in Major League Soccer for New England Revolution[2] and for the Syria national football team as a defender. As a defender, Somi plays in the left–back position.[3]

Gabriel Somi
Personal information
Full name Gabriel Somi
Date of birth (1991-08-24) 24 August 1991
Place of birth Örebro, Sweden
Height 1.76 m (5 ft 9 1⁄2 in)
Playing position(s) Left Back, Midfielder
Youth career
IFK Kumla
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2009–2011 Örebro Syrianska 62 (7)
2012–2015 Syrianska 75 (2)
2016–2017 Östersunds FK 30 (3)
2018–2019 New England Revolution 14 (0)
National team‡
2019– Syria 2 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 6 April 2019
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 23 March 2019

Club career

Örebro Syrianska

Born in Örebro, Sweden, Somi began his career at IFK Kumla before joining Örebro Syrianska in 2009.[4] Somi spent two years at Örebro Syrianska, making 67 appearances and scoring 5 times before joining Syrianska FC.[5]

Syrianska FC

On 15 February 2012, Somi moved to a bigger challenge when he joined Allsvenskan side Syrianska.[6]

Somi made his Syrianska FC debut, where he started the whole game, in a 2–1 win over IFK Göteborg in the opening game of the season.[7] Since making his debut, Somi quickly received a handful of first team appearances.[8] However, he soon lost his first team place to Rabi Elia and was demoted to the substitute bench as a result.[9] Around July, Somi soon regained his first team for the side, though he appeared in and out of the starting eleven.[10] However, he suffered an injury and was substituted in the 22nd minutes, in a 5–1 loss against BK Häcken on 6 October 2012.[11] Despite this, Somi went on to make 18 appearances in all competitions at the end of the 2012 season.[12]

In the 2013 season, Somi made his first appearance of the season, where he started before coming off at half–time, in a 1–0 win over Djurgårdens on 27 April 2013.[13] However, his first team opportunities at the club became limited, leading him to be placed on the substitute bench.[14] Despite this, he ended making 12 appearances in all competitions.

In the 2014 season, Somi later regained his first team place at the club, playing in the left–back position throughout the season.[15] During a 3–1 win over Östersunds FK on 25 April 2014, Somi then won a penalty after being fouled in the box, leading Nikola Grubješić successfully convert the penalty to score the opener.[16] After serving a one match suspension, he scored on his return on 14 September 2014, in a 3–1 win over Östers IF.[17] Although the club were relegated to Superettan, Somi ended the season, making a total of 29 appearances in all competitions. At the end of the 2014 season, Somi began attracting interests from the club.[3]

Despite the speculation, Somi remained at Syrianska for the 2015 season.[18] At the start of the 2015 season, Somi continued to regain his first team place in the left–back position at the club.[19] He then scored his first goal of the season, in a 3–0 win over GAIS on 3 June 2015.[20] He then captained side on four occasions later in the season.[21] He finished the season, making a total of 28 appearances and scoring once in all competitions. At the end of the 2015 season, the club said they would be interested in offering Somi a new contract, though Somi, himself, said he yet received the offer.[22]

Östersunds FK

After his contract at Syrianska FC came to an end, Somi joined newly–promoted Allsvenskan side Östersunds FK on 18 November 2015.[23]

Somi made his Östersunds FK debut, where he started and played 58 minutes before coming off, due to injury, in a 1–1 draw against Hammarby on 4 April 2016.[24] After returning from injury that saw him missed one match,[25] Somi was featured in and out of the first team for the side.[26] However, he soon lost his first team places and resulted in him on the substitute bench.[27] At the end of the 2016 season, he went on to make 19 appearances in all competitions. Although he received a lack of first team football in the 2016 season, Somi stated that he would not be leaving the club.[28]

In the 2017 season, Somi made his first start of the season, where he played the whole game, in a 3–1 win over AFC Eskilstuna on 26 April 2017.[29] However, he continued to find himself out of the first team, as he remained on the substitute bench.[30] He also was dropped from the squad for the Svenska Cupen Final, where Östersunds FK won their first Svenska Cupen title after defeating IFK Norrköping 4–1.[31] He then scored his first goals of the season, in a 2–2 draw against AIK on 2 July 2017.[32] He then made his UEFA Europa League debut, where he came on as a late substitute, in a 2–0 win over Galatasaray on 13 July 2017; ultimately, the club would later progress after a 1–1 draw in the second leg.[33] After making his Europa League debut, Somi then set up two goals, in a 2–2 draw against Djurgårdens on 16 July 2017.[34] Due to his lack of playing time for the side, Somi wanted to leave the club, citing his disappointment over lack of first team football.[35] Despite this, on 3 August 2017, Somi scored a vital role in the return leg of UEFA Europa League, in a 2–1 win over CS Fola Esch to send them through to the Play–Offs Round.[36] After missing out two matches, Somi returned to the first team, where he started the match, in a 2–0 win over PAOK, which saw them go through away goal and progress to the UEFA Europa League Group Stage.[37] Three days later, on 27 August 2017, Somi scored his third goal of the season, in a 2–0 win over IFK Norrköping.[38] Later in the 2017 season, Somi continued to appear in and out of the first team.[39] At the end of the 2017 season, Somi went on to make 25 appearances and scoring 4 times in all competitions.

At the end of 2017 season, Somi found himself linked a move away from the club, as IFK Göteborg among interested.[40] However, it was announced that Somi would be leaving the club in favour of moving to an unknown MLS club.[41]

New England Revolution

Somi signed with Major League Soccer side New England Revolution on 5 January 2018.[42] The move was completed upon receipt of his International Transfer Certificate (ITC).[43]

International career

In October 2017, he decided to represent his parents home country Syria, and he was called up by the Syria national football team to play in the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification (AFC) play-offs against Australia. But he didn't get any cap till now.[44] However, Syria were eliminated after losing 3–2 on aggregate.[45]

He got his first cap on 20 March 2019 against Iraq in 2019 International Friendship Championship.

Career Statistics

Personal life

Somi’s parents, who were Christians living in Syria, moved to Sweden in 1989 with their three daughters to seek out a better life.[46] Two years after settling into Sweden, Gabriel was born in the town of Örebro in 1991.[46] Despite growing up in Sweden, Somi revealed that his parents reminded him of his true heritage.[46]

Honours

Club
Östersund
gollark: SquidDev's shiny replacement for LuaJ in CC:T.
gollark: I Don't see how those are CC-related.
gollark: The 1337 h4xx in the video?
gollark: Do what?
gollark: Search for what?

References
  1. "Gabriel Somi till SFC". Fotbolltransfers.com. Retrieved 1 April 2012.
  2. "New England Revolution sign versatile Syrian international Gabriel Somi". MLSsoccer.com. Retrieved 5 January 2018.
  3. "Somi jagas av allsvenska klubbar - provspelar i Norge" (in Swedish). Nerikes Allehanda. 18 November 2014. Retrieved 17 February 2018.
  4. "Örebrotalang nära allsvenskan" (in Swedish). Nerikes Allehanda. 15 February 2012. Retrieved 17 February 2018.
  5. "Intervju med Gabriel Somi" (in Swedish). Svenska Fans. 22 March 2012. Retrieved 17 February 2018.
  6. "Intervju med Gabriel Somi" (in Swedish). Svenska Fans. 22 March 2012. Retrieved 17 February 2018.
    "Syrianska värvar: "Små detaljer kvar"" (in Swedish). Expressen.se. 15 February 2012. Retrieved 17 February 2018.
  7. "Syrianska chockade "Real Göteborg"" (in Swedish). Svenska Dagblad. 1 April 2012. Retrieved 17 February 2018.
  8. ""Är för publiken – bara för publiken"" (in Swedish). Aftonbladet. 15 April 2012. Retrieved 17 February 2018.
  9. "Elfsborg rycker i toppen" (in Swedish). Aftonbladet. 2 May 2012. Retrieved 17 February 2018.
  10. "Atta avgjorde i slutsekunderna" (in Swedish). Aftonbladet. 14 July 2012. Retrieved 17 February 2018.
    "Reserven höll nollan i streckstriden" (in Swedish). Aftonbladet. 1 September 2012. Retrieved 17 February 2018.
    "SLUT: Förlust - och rött kort" (in Swedish). LT Södertälje. 28 April 2012. Retrieved 17 February 2018.
  11. "Syrianskas mardröm - fick två skador direkt" (in Swedish). Expressen.se. 6 October 2012. Retrieved 17 February 2018.
  12. "Byter Syrianska mot division 1" (in Swedish). Nerikes Allehanda. 22 January 2013. Retrieved 17 February 2018.
  13. "Dif blåst på mål - sedan avgjorde Syrianska" (in Swedish). Aftonbladet. 27 April 2013. Retrieved 17 February 2018.
  14. "Här är betygen efter Syrianska - Elfsborg" (in Swedish). Expressen.se. 6 October 2013. Retrieved 17 February 2018.
    "Skräckmotstånd för Syrianska" (in Swedish). LT Södertälje. 23 May 2013. Retrieved 17 February 2018.
  15. "Det luktade division 1" (in Swedish). Aftonbladet. 17 April 2014. Retrieved 17 February 2018.
  16. "Pappa Ripley led på läktaren" (in Swedish). Aftobladet. 25 April 2014. Retrieved 17 February 2018.
  17. "Gais räddade poäng – med hjälp av självmål" (in Swedish). Expressen.se. 2 September 2014. Retrieved 17 February 2018.
    "Ljungskile ny serieledare" (in Swedish). Aftonbladet. 14 September 2014. Retrieved 17 February 2018.
  18. "Somi stannar i Syrianska" (in Dutch). LT Södertälje. 12 February 2015. Retrieved 17 February 2018.
  19. "LT-coachen - kan du ta ut det bästa laget?" (in Swedish). LT Södertälje. 28 April 2015. Retrieved 17 February 2018.
  20. "Säker seger för Syrianska" (in Swedish). LT Södertälje. 3 June 2015. Retrieved 17 February 2018.
  21. "Syrianska föll igen" (in Swedish). LT Södertälje. 3 August 2015. Retrieved 17 February 2018.
  22. "Somi: "Jag vill ta steget upp"" (in Swedish). Nerikes Allehanda. 6 November 2015. Retrieved 17 February 2018.
  23. "Bekräftat: Somi till allsvenskan" (in Swedish). Nerikes Allehanda. 19 November 2015. Retrieved 17 February 2018.
  24. "ÖFK chockade fotbollseliten: "Östersund är här nu. Herrejävlar"" (in Swedish). Nerikes Allehanda. 4 April 2016. Retrieved 17 February 2018.
    "Fysioterapeuten om skadorna: Somi har en rejäl lårkaka" (in Swedish). Östersunds-Posten. 4 April 2016. Retrieved 17 February 2018.
  25. "Glädjebesked inför dagens ÖFK-match: Somi tillbaka efter skadan" (in Swedish). Östersunds-Posten. 10 April 2016. Retrieved 17 February 2018.
  26. ""Sotte" och Somi tillbaka i ÖFK hemma mot serieledande Norrköping – läs allt inför matchen här" (in Swedish). Östersunds-Posten. 20 September 2016. Retrieved 17 February 2018.
  27. "Här är spelarbetygen efter ÖFK–Örebro" (in Swedish). Östersunds-Posten. 27 April 2016. Retrieved 17 February 2018.
    "Betygen efter Elfsborgsmatchen: Strålande hemmapremiär av Stefan Karlsson" (in Swedish). Östersunds-Posten. 30 July 2016. Retrieved 17 February 2018.
  28. "Gabriel Somi öppnar för fortsättning i ÖFK: "Stänger inga dörrar"" (in Swedish). Östersunds-Posten. 25 October 2016. Retrieved 17 February 2018.
  29. "Jamie Hopcutt in från start– så ställer ÖFK upp mot AFC Eskilstuna" (in Swedish). Östersunds-Posten. 26 April 2017. Retrieved 17 February 2018.
  30. "Nyförvärvet gör sin första match från start – så startar ÖFK mot Örebro" (in Swedish). Östersunds-Posten. 16 April 2017. Retrieved 17 February 2018.
    "Så ställer ÖFK upp i hemmapremiären – Sotte och Edwards från start" (in Swedish). Östersunds-Posten. 9 April 2017. Retrieved 17 February 2018.
  31. "Matchrapport: Östersunds FK-IFK Norrköping 1-0" (in Swedish). Svenska Fans. 13 April 2017. Retrieved 17 February 2018.
  32. "Här räddar han AIK – minuter från slutet" (in Swedish). Expressen. 2 July 2017. Retrieved 17 February 2018.
  33. "Bittra utspelet – från Galatasaray" (in Swedish). Expressen. 13 July 2017. Retrieved 17 February 2018.
    "Skrällen fullbordad – Östersund är vidare" (in Swedish). Expressen. 20 July 2017. Retrieved 17 February 2018.
  34. "Douglas Bergqvist matchhjälte när ÖFK besegrade Djurgården med 2–1" (in Swedish). Östersunds-Posten. 16 July 2017. Retrieved 17 February 2018.
  35. "Örebrosonen kan lämna allsvenskan för utländsk klubb: "Vill ha mer speltid"" (in Swedish). Nerikes Allehanda. 25 July 2017. Retrieved 17 February 2018.
  36. "ÖFK vidare till playoff i Europa League efter mål av Somi och Pettersson" (in Swedish). Östersunds-Posten. 3 August 2017. Retrieved 17 February 2018.
  37. "Bekräftat: Så formerar ÖFK startelvan mot Paok" (in Swedish). Östersunds-Posten. 24 August 2017. Retrieved 17 February 2018.
    "Bragden: Östersund klart för EL-gruppspel" (in Swedish). Expressen. 24 August 2017. Retrieved 17 February 2018.
  38. "Gabriel Somi: – Vi är slitna men mår jättebra!" (in Swedish). OD Sport. 27 August 2017. Retrieved 17 February 2018.
  39. "Fem punkter: Östersund-Malmö FF" (in Swedish). Aftonbladet. 20 September 2017. Retrieved 17 February 2018.
    "Bank: En myt till på sophögen" (in Swedish). Aftonbladet. 14 September 2017. Retrieved 17 February 2018.
  40. "Djurgården jagar ÖFK-spelaren: "Finns intresse"" (in Swedish). Aftonbladet. 1 December 2017. Retrieved 17 February 2018.
    "IFK Göteborg ute efter rivalens back" (in Swedish). Aftonbladet. 8 November 2017. Retrieved 17 February 2018.
  41. "Somi flyttar till USA – lämnar Östersund" (in Swedish). Expressen. 18 December 2017. Retrieved 17 February 2018.
  42. "New England Revolution acquire defender Gabriel Somi". New England Revolution Official Website. 5 January 2018. Archived from the original on 17 February 2018. Retrieved 17 February 2018.
  43. "Revolution acquire Gabeirl Somi from Swedish side Ostersunds FK". ESPN. 6 January 2018. Retrieved 17 February 2018.
  44. "Syriens ofattbara succé: "Det enda positiva landet har"" (in Swedish). Aftonbladet. 5 October 2017. Retrieved 17 February 2018.
  45. "Sent straffmål räddade Syrien: "Fattar inte hur de orkade"" (in Swedish). Aftonbladet. 5 October 2017. Retrieved 17 February 2018.
    "Gabriel Somi missar VM – Syriens mästerskapsdröm krossad" (in Swedish). LT Södertälje. 10 October 2017. Retrieved 17 February 2018.
  46. "MLS-bound Gabriel Somi: 'Football means a lot to the Syrian people'". Arab News. 23 January 2018. Retrieved 17 February 2018.
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