Khalis Merah

Khalis Merah

Personal information
Date of birth	(2007-02-24) 24 February 2007 (age 18)
Place of birth	Meyzieu, France [1]
Height	1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Position(s)	Midfielder
Team information
Current team	Lyon
Number	44
Youth career
2012–2015	US Meyzieu
2016–2025	Lyon
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2025–	Lyon B	4	(0)
2025–	Lyon	2	(0)
International career‡
2023	France U16	2	(0)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 2025 ‡ National team caps and goals as of 23 August 2025

Khalis Merah (born 24 February 2007) is a French professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Ligue 1 club Lyon.

Club career

Born in Meyzieu in the Metropolis of Lyon, Merah started his youth career at the local US Meyzieu. In July 2016, he joined the youth academy of region giants Lyon. ^[2]

On 24 February 2025, on his 18th birthday, Merah signed his first professional contract with Lyon, tying him to the club until June 2027. ^[3] He captained Lyon under-19s side during the 2024–25 season, before being integrated to Lyon reserves team that the end of the season, where he made his senior debut at the Championnat National 3. ^{[4] [5]}

Ahead of the 2025–26 season, Merah was promoted to Lyon's first team by coach Paulo Fonseca. ^{[6] [7]} He earned his first official appearance for Lyon on 16 August 2023 in a 1–0 away win over Lens during the first matchday of the 2025–26 Ligue 1, coming in as a substitute in the 66th minute. ^[8]

International career

Merah appeared twice for France U16 in March 2023. ^[9]

Playing style

Merah is a versatile midfielder. He is capable of anchoring the midfield as a defensive midfielder and as a central midfielder. ^{[10] [11]} Despite his once slight physique, he has compensated with exceptional positional awareness. He is also known for his proficiency in set pieces. ^{[12] [13]}

Personal life

Merah was born and raised in France to parents of Algerian descent. ^[14]

Career statistics

As of match played 23 August 2025

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			Cup		Europe		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Lyon B	2024–25	Championnat National 3	4	0	—		—		—		4	0
Lyon	2025–26	Ligue 1	2	0	0	0	0	0	—		2	0
Career total			6	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	6	0

References

1. "Khalis Merah". fff.fr. Retrieved 30 July 2025.
2. "Football. OL : premier contrat professionnel pour le jeune Khalis Merah". Le Progrès. 25 February 2025.
3. "Communiqué de presse : 1er contrat professionnel pour Khalis Merah". Olympique Lyonnais (in French). 24 February 2025.
4. "OL : Khalis Merah, le nouveau diamant brut de l'académie lyonnaise" (in French). Ouest-France. 27 July 2025.
5. "Merah, "l'archétype du joueur sorti par l'OL"" (in French). Olympique et Lyonnais. 1 August 2025.
6. "Football. OL : qui sont les jeunes pousses de la pré-saison ?". Le Progrès (in French). 7 July 2025.
7. "Khalis Merah, la recrue inattendue de l'OL". Foot Mercato (in French). 31 July 2025.
8. "OLJorge Maciel impressionné par l'entrée de Khalis Merah face au RC Lens" (in French). Ouest-France. 17 August 2025.
9. "OL - Académie : première sélection pour Khalis Merah avec l'équipe de France U16". olympique-et-lyonnais.com (in French). 9 March 2025.
10. "Les Gones du mois (mars)" (in French). Café du Commerce. 12 April 2024.
11. "OL : Khalis Merah, le remplaçant trouvé à Cherki ?" (in French). Orange Sports.
12. "Khalis Merah : 5 choses à savoir sur la nouvelle pépite de l'OL". football365.fr. 26 July 2025.
13. "Franco-Algerian midfielder Khalis Merah impresses Fonseca with standout pre-season at Lyon". africasoccer.com. 2 August 2025.
14. "Un nouveau pro de l'OL éligible avec l'Algérie". Afrik Foot (in French). 25 February 2025.

External links

• Khalis Merah at Soccerway