Man City sign midfielder with ‘outstanding intelligence’
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - JUNE 13: Bruno Guimarães of Brazil battles for the ball with Ayyoub Bouaddi of Morocco during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group C match between Brazil and Morocco at New York New Jersey Stadium on June 13, 2026 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by MB Media/Getty Images)
Manchester City have announced the signature of talented midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi.
This is an individual whose maturity has stood out throughout his professional journey. Bouaddi broke through into the first team at Lille in October 2023, becoming the youngest ever player to feature in a European competition for a senior side. A year later, he was the youngest player to start a Champions League game, helping Les Dogues defeat reigning champions Real Madrid 1-0 on his 17th birthday.
Still aged 18, he broke the record of former Lille attacker Eden Hazard for the youngest player to reach 50 appearances in Ligue 1 in January 2026. Four months later, he chose to switch international allegiance to Morocco despite having been the captain for the France U21 team. Earning plaudits for his performance against Brazil in his World Cup debut, Bouaddi was rewarded for that decision with a run to the quarter-finals of the competition. A transfer to a bigger club has now come calling.
· ‘Ayyoub’s potential is extremely high’
The Citizens are adapting to life without several cornerstones of their success in the last five years.
Pep Guardiola has departed from the dugout, while John Stones, Nathan Ake, Rodri and Bernardo Silva have also set sail from the Etihad Stadium. The exits of the two La Liga bound midfielders demanded attention in the engine room, and Bouaddi will aid Elliot Anderson in this new era.
Director of Football Hugo Viana has also spoken highly about the quality that Bouaddi brings.
“Ayyoub’s potential is extremely high - a player equipped with everything a top midfielder needs.
“At just 18, he already has outstanding football intelligence and that will only improve under the guidance of Enzo. We have watched him very closely and throughout that process we have become increasingly convinced he is a huge talent who will thrive at City. We are really happy he has joined us and our job now is to ensure we provide him with everything he needs to fulfil his potential.”