Hatem Ben Arfa is a French footballer who plays for English club Newcastle United in the Premier League. Dubbed as "one of the best-rated talents in France", he plays as a winger and an attacking midfielder. Ben Arfa began his career as a football player training at ASV Châtenay-Malabry. Couple of years later, he moved to Montrouge CF 92. In 1998, Ben Arfa joined sporting club AC Boulogne-Billancourt. But it was not until he was 15 and training hard at Ligue 1 champions- Lyon's youth academy, that he was truly exposed to the football game. In August 2004 he signed his first professional contract agreeing to a three-year deal with the club. Ben Arfa made his professional debut on the opening match day of the 2004–05 season against Nice. Ben Arfa scored his first professional goal two months later on 10 November in a Coupe de la Ligue match against Lille. Ben Arfa officially joined Marseille on 1 July 2008 for €12 million. On 27 February 2010, he scored his first league goal of the season in a 3–0 victory over Paris Saint-Germain, earning him the title "UNFP Player of the Month". On 22 July 2010, he departed to Newcastle United on a season long loan. On 5 January 2011, Ben Arfa agreed to a permanent transfer to Newcastle United for four and half years. During his time with the club he has appeared in 42 matches and scored 8 goals. Ben Arfa is a former French youth international having played at all levels. At under-17 level, he was a part of the team that won the 2004 UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship.
