Reda El Meliani: Morocco-born Dutch right-back joins Ittihad Tanger on free transfer

Morocco-Netherlands defender Reda El Meliani has joined Ittihad Tanger on a free transfer from Dutch side Roda JC. The 21-year-old right-back moves to the Botola Pro Inwi after leaving the Keuken Kampioen Divisie club at the end of last season.

El Meliani, born in Veghel and eligible for both Morocco and the Netherlands, signs for the Tanger outfit as a specialist right-back, adding depth on the flank for the upcoming campaign. The deal sees him leave Roda JC’s first team just a year after stepping up from their under-21 squad.

The defender broke into senior professional football with Roda JC following his promotion from the club’s youth ranks in July 2025, having first arrived there from PSV’s under-21 team. He had previously come through the PSV system, progressing from the youth levels up to the under-21s after joining their academy as a youngster from Blauw Geel.

El Meliani has already accumulated experience in the Keuken Kampioen Divisie, as well as domestic cup football in the Netherlands, and has featured extensively in youth competitions at under-17, under-18 and under-21 level. That grounding in Dutch football provides Ittihad Tanger with a defender accustomed to a competitive professional environment.

With a current market value listed at €100,000, the move represents a low-cost addition for Ittihad Tanger as they reshape their squad. El Meliani’s switch to the Moroccan top flight was completed on 15 July 2026 as a permanent free transfer from Roda JC.