Lens strengthen midfield with Algeria’s Yacine Titraoui

Algeria midfielder Yacine Titraoui has joined Lens from Belgian club R Charleroi SC, completing a move to Ligue 1 on 3 August 2026.

The 23-year-old central midfielder moves to France after two seasons with Charleroi, where he played in the Jupiler Pro League and European competition. His arrival gives Lens another option in the centre of midfield as the club adds a player with experience of both Belgian and French football.

Titraoui has made 50 appearances in the Jupiler Pro League, scoring five goals and providing one assist. He has also featured in the league’s European play-offs, the Croky Cup and the qualifying rounds of the UEFA Europa Conference League.

His career record includes 85 Ligue 1 appearances, with 12 goals and 13 assists. He has also played 15 matches in the Jupiler Pro League Europe play-offs, contributing two goals and two assists. Across those competitions, Titraoui has built a substantial body of senior experience despite still being 23.

Charleroi signed Titraoui from Algerian club Paradou AC on 12 July 2024 for €1.2m. He had previously progressed through Paradou’s system after joining the club’s under-21 side in 2021.

Born in M’Sila, Titraoui stands 1.80 metres tall and represents Algeria. He was part of the Algeria side that won the Arab Cup in the 2020-21 edition, adding an international honour to his club career.

The move takes Titraoui from Belgium’s top flight to one of France’s leading divisions and returns him to a league in which he has already accumulated significant match experience. His Ligue 1 record includes an average of one goal every 603 minutes, alongside his 13 assists.

Lens have now completed the signing of Titraoui from Charleroi.