Mohamed Jaouab poised for Maghreb de Fes move after Valladolid exit

Maghreb de Fes are close to signing Morocco defender Mohamed Jaouab from Real Valladolid as they strengthen their squad after winning the Botola Pro title for the first time in 41 years.

An agreement has reportedly been reached between the two clubs for Maghreb de Fes to buy the remaining portion of the 24-year-old centre-back’s contract, according to Africafoot.

Jaouab must now complete a medical before the move can be officially confirmed. If he passes those checks and signs, he will return to Morocco after less than a year in Spain.

Maghreb de Fes, also known as MAS, finished top of the 2025-26 Moroccan championship with 59 points, two ahead of RS Berkane. Their title was the club’s first in 41 years and has prompted them to continue strengthening ahead of their return to the top of Moroccan football.

Jaouab’s arrival would give the champions a relatively young defender with experience of European football. The centre-back has come through the French system and spent the past season with Real Valladolid, although he struggled to establish himself in the first team.

He joined the Spanish club in the summer of 2025 but made only seven official appearances during the last campaign.

Raja Casablanca had also made significant progress in their attempt to sign the player. The Casablanca club were looking to reinforce their defence after several departures and had considered a number of possible deals, including a loan with an option to buy and a permanent transfer.

Raja were understood to have been attracted by Jaouab’s physical strength, his ability to defend space behind the back line and his quality when bringing the ball out from defence.

However, Maghreb de Fes are understood to have moved ahead of their rivals and completed the operation with Valladolid. The deal would represent another transfer in which MAS have beaten Raja directly, following the agreement involving Anas El Mahraoui.

Jaouab’s development had generated considerable expectations during the early stages of his career. He was trained at the Mohammed VI Football Academy before moving to Stade Rennais at a young age to continue his development in France.

He later joined Amiens on loan, allowing him to gain more regular experience in senior football.

The defender has represented Morocco at youth level and also played for the country’s under-23 side. At the age of 24, he is now set to return home after his progress in Europe stalled at Real Valladolid.

A move to the reigning Moroccan champions could provide Jaouab with an opportunity to revive his career and play a more prominent role. For Maghreb de Fes, the signing would add a defender with both domestic background and experience abroad as they seek to build on a landmark Botola Pro campaign.