BLACK SOCIAL HISTORY Saido Berahino (born 4 August 1993) is a professional footballer who plays for West Bromwich Albion as a striker. Born in Burundi, he has played for England up to under-21 level. He enjoyed success whilst on several loan spells, before breaking into the West Brom squad. His first few matches saw him score a hat-trick against Newport,[3] before scoring the winning goal at Old Trafford against Manchester United.[4]
Club career
Berahino came to England at the age of 10, escaping from his native war-torn Burundi with his mother, brother and sisters.[5][6] His family were granted political asylum in Newtown, Birmingham, and he signed for the West Bromwich Albion Centre of Excellence in 2004 at under-12 level, joining from Phoenix United.[7] He progressed through the youth system of the Baggies and signed his first professional contract in the summer of 2011, on a one-year deal.
On 20 October 2011, he joined League Two side Northampton Town on a one-month loan deal.[8] He made his professional debut for the Cobblers two days later in 2–1 defeat to Bradford City at Valley Parade.[9] Saido extended his loan period twice before leaving Northampton at the beginning of February 2012. Despite leaving the club propping up the whole league, Saido had scored 6 league goals in 14 appearances.
On 9 February 2012, Berahino went out on loan again, this time at a higher level than before, by joining League One side Brentford through to the end of the season.[10] Berahino scored his first two goals for Brentford after coming on as a substitute against Carlisle United live on Sky Sports and scored another brace in a 2–0 win over Exeter City one month later. After the match, the club's coach Alan Kernaghan praised Berahino and said: "Saido got the nod and he did well, but this was win built on a strong defensive performance as shown by another clean sheet."[11] Due to arguments with Manager Uwe Rösler,[12] the loan spell with Brentford ended early after 7 games (4 goals) due to personal reasons and returned to West Bromwich Albion on 3 April 2012.[13]
Berahino made his debut for West Brom as a substitute against Yeovil Town in a League Cup tie on 28 August 2012.[14] He signed on loan for Championship club Peterborough United on 1 October 2012[15] Shortly joining Peterborough United, Berahino made his debut in a 2–0 win over Barnsley. Several weeks later, Berahino was the mastermind when he made a double assist for George Boyd and four days later, he scored a brace in a 3–0 win overDerby County. At Peterbrough United, Manager Darren Ferguson says Berahino is expecting to get more playing time.[16]
On 27 August 2013 he made his first start for West Brom in a League Cup tie against Newport County and went on to score a hat-trick.[17] He made his first league appearance for the Baggies when he came on as a substitute against Swansea City on 1 September 2013.[18] On 28 September, he scored his first Premier League goal, the winner in a 2–1 win against Manchester United at Old Trafford.[19]
On 2 December 2013, Berahino extended his contract with West Brom which commits him to the club until June 2017.[20]
International career
Berahino has made appearances at various youth levels for England.[21] He was called up to the England U21 squad for the first time for the match against Scotland U21 on 13 August 2013.[22] He scored on his England U-21 debut on 6 September against Moldova U21 in his side's 1–0 win, this game was also Gareth Southgate's first game in charge. On 15 October, Berahino continued his scoring form in the U-21's game against Lithuania, bagging a brace for the young lions taking his U-21 tally to 4 goals in 3 games.[23]
Berahino was yellow-carded after the first of his two goals against Finland U21 in November for lifting his shirt to reveal a message to his late father, who died in the Burundian Civil War.[24]
Career statistics
- As of match played 29 March 2014.
| Club | Season | League | FA Cup | League Cup | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Northampton Town (loan) | 2011–12[25] | League Two | 14 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 6 |
| Brentford (loan) | 2011–12[26] | League One | 8 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 4 |
| Peterborough United (loan) | 2012–13[27] | Championship | 10 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 10 | 2 | |
| West Bromwich Albion | 2012–13[28] | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 1 | 0 | |
| 2013–14[29] | Premier League | 32 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | — | 35 | 9 | ||
| Total | 32 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 4 | — | 36 | 9 | |||
| Career total | 64 | 17 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 69 | 21                                                                                                | ||
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