Wydad Athletic Club have completed the signing of Moroccan international defender Ayman El Wafi, strengthening their back line with a player shaped by European football and international success.
The Casablanca giants confirmed the arrival of the centre-back through their official communication channels, revealing that El Wafi has committed his future to the club on a four-and-a-half-year contract.
The announcement ends several days of anticipation among supporters eager to see fresh reinforcements ahead of key domestic and continental challenges.
El Wafi joins Wydad from Swiss side Lugano, where he built a solid reputation after arriving in the summer of 2023.
His move to Switzerland followed a landmark achievement with Morocco’s Olympic team, as he helped the U23 side lift the Africa Cup of Nations.
That triumph placed him among the most promising defenders of his generation and accelerated his rise on the international stage.
Born in Italy, El Wafi developed his early football education within the Italian system. He came through the ranks at Hellas Verona, where he learned the tactical discipline and defensive rigour associated with Serie A football.
That foundation later shaped his performances in Switzerland, where he adapted quickly to the physical and tactical demands of the league with Lugano.
During his time abroad, El Wafi shared dressing rooms with several players who now represent Morocco at senior level.
His daily work alongside names such as Amir Richardson, Bilal El Khannouss, Ismaël Saibari and Oussama El Azzouzi strengthened his competitive edge and reinforced his understanding of elite-level expectations.
National team coaches also took notice of his progress. Tarik Sektioui selected El Wafi for the Moroccan Olympic squad ahead of the Paris 2024 Games.
However, Lugano chose not to release the defender, which denied him the opportunity to contribute on the pitch to Morocco’s historic bronze medal finish. Despite that setback, the episode highlighted the growing value attached to his profile.
By securing El Wafi, Wydad continue a strategy focused on recruiting players with international exposure and immediate impact potential.
The club expect his composure, reading of the game and physical presence to add stability to the defence during the decisive phase of the season.
For El Wafi, the move represents a return to Moroccan football with clear ambitions.
At Wydad, he now enters an environment defined by pressure, expectations and a constant pursuit of trophies, conditions that suit a defender eager to confirm his status at the highest level.
