Manchester City have officially signed teenage Moroccan midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi from French club Lille. The deal was announced on Wednesday, with the 18-year-old putting pen to paper on a five-year contract for a transfer fee reported to be 100 million euros ($117m), according to a report from www.google.com.
Who is Ayyoub Bouaddi?
Ayyoub Bouaddi is one of the most exciting young talents to emerge from French football in recent years. He rose through the French youth ranks and was tied to the French national team setup before committing to represent Morocco. Lille extended his contract just last year, leaving three years remaining on his deal and driving up his valuation. Earlier this year, Bouaddi became the youngest player ever to record 50 appearances in Ligue 1, cementing his status as a teenage prodigy.
What does this transfer mean?
The Bouaddi deal represents one of the biggest moves of the summer transfer window. Lille's asking price was a firm 100 million euros, the fee Manchester City have paid. This move comes after the English champions sold key midfielder Rodri to Barcelona and Tijjani Reijnders to Al-Qadsiah, with Nico Gonzalez also poised to depart. Strengthening the midfield was therefore an urgent priority for the ten-time Premier League winners.
How does this affect the Morocco national team?
Bouaddi is a key part of the Morocco squad that competed at the FIFA World Cup 2026. Morocco reached the quarter-finals of that tournament before losing 2-0 to France on July 9th. The Atlas Lions currently sit 2nd in their World Cup qualifying group, with 7 points from 3 games (2 wins and a draw), having scored 6 goals and conceded 3. Fans can track the team's progress on our standings page.
Speaking about his move, Ayyoub Bouaddi said: "This is a very special day for me and my family." Football commentator Khalil Jadallah praised the player's abilities, stating: "He can pass, he can defend, he can carry the ball, control the tempo … all this and he is only 18 years old."
What comes next for Bouaddi?
Bouaddi's versatility allows him to operate in multiple midfield roles. He has demonstrated a notable ability to soak up pressure, most famously in a Champions League victory for Lille over Real Madrid on an October night in northern France, where he faced a midfield containing French internationals Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni. He is seen as a symbol of a new team and a rising star among Moroccan fans, such as Mohammed, the manager of Restaurante Jerusalem in Barcelona.
With the Morocco national team entering a new phase post-World Cup, having recorded mixed recent form in their last five matches (1 win, 2 draws, 2 losses), relying on young talents like Bouaddi will be essential. Supporters can follow all player statistics on our dedicated stats page.
