Abdoun started his career as a youth player for
Paris Saint-Germain in 2002, where he was released at the end of the season. In 2003, he signed for
Ajaccio where he made only 12 appearances in four seasons, scoring two goals. Abdoun signed for
Manchester City on loan in January 2007. He made only one appearance for the club, coming on as a substitute on 28 January 2007 in a 3–1
FA Cup win against
Southampton. He returned to Ajaccio at the end of the season after Manchester City chose not to take up the option of making his move permanent.
Kavala On 24 August 2010, Abdoun joined Greek side
Kavala from
Nantes, signing a three-year contract with the club. The details of the transfer were not disclosed. In his first season with Kavala, Abdoun finished as the top assist man in the
Greek Super League with eight assists in 26 matches. He also scored three goals and was named as the second best player in the league behind
Ariel Ibagaza of
Olympiacos. On 23 May 2011, Abdoun's agent, Karim Aklil, announced that the player was very close to signing with
Panathinaikos. However, on 25 August 2011, he began training with Olympiacos and passed the traditional medical visit.
Olympiacos On 31 August 2011, Abdoun signed a three-year contract with Olympiacos, joining them on a free transfer from Kavala after they were relegated to the fourth division. He scored his first goal against
PAOK and his second goal against Panathinaikos. He played 29 games and scored four times in total in his first season at Olympiacos. Abdoun managed to score his first goal in the
UEFA Champions League, in a 2–1 home loss against German side
Schalke 04. He also scored from the penalty spot against
Aris. His next two goals came again from the penalty spot; against
AEK Athens away and
Platanias at home. He scored his next goal against
PAS Giannina in a 2–0 home win, which was assisted by Ariel Ibagaza. Days later, he scored against
Atromitos from the penalty spot in a 3–2 home loss. On 27 February, Abdoun scored a goal from a free-kick in a 1–0 away victory over PAS Giannina in a
Greek Cup match. His next goal came against AEK Athens in a 3–0 home win. His last goal for the season came against Platanias in a 4–0 away win.
Nottingham Forest On 25 July 2013,
Nottingham Forest Chairman,
Fawaz Al-Hasawi, announced the signing of Abdoun on a 3-year contract. Djamel Abdoun scored his first goal in a home
FA Cup Third Round tie against
West Ham United. The goal came from a penalty awarded for a challenge on
Jamie Paterson. Abdoun was insistent he was taking the penalty, even arguing with his fellow team-mates on the pitch, and his persistence paid off as he scored with an audacious chip from the spot. Forest went on to win the game 5–0. On 10 July 2014, Abdoun was informed he was free to find a new club and that he "had no future at Forest". He never played for Forest again.. As Abdoun failed to find a team, he was loaned to
Lokeren. Abdoun's contract was mutually terminated on 30 July 2015.
Veria On 20 July 2015, Abdoun was approached by the Super League side,
Veria and her president, Theodoros Karipidis, in order to sign a contract for the club. Although, the player was positive playing for Veria, the offer made to him was turned down as it did not financially satisfy the player, he was offered about €250,000. A week later, Veria returned with a new improved offer. A day later, on 28 July 2015, Abdoun came in an oral agreement with the Macedonian club. Abdoun officially signed his contract on 8 August 2015. Abdoun debuted on 23 August 2015 where he assisted Veria's equalizing goal on 1–1 home draw on season premiere against PAS Giannina with a free kick. On 29 August 2015, Abdoun scored his first goal for Veria in an away match against
Panthrakikos after a
Thomas Nazlidis' long ball. He scored with a penalty kick his second goal in the same game. He named man of the match. On 4 October 2015, he scored from the penalty spot, giving the victory by 1–0 in an away game against
AEL Kalloni. Abdoun was released on a free transfer from Veria on 31 August 2016. ==International career==