Ayyoub Bouaddi: Morocco midfielder vows to give everything for Man City after ‘right’ Lille exit

Ayyoub Bouaddi has promised to put the interests of Manchester City ahead of personal recognition after completing his move from Lille to the Premier League champions.

The 18-year-old Moroccan international has signed a five-year contract with City that will keep him at the Etihad until the summer of 2031, bringing to an end his rapid rise through the ranks at Lille.

Bouaddi arrives in Manchester regarded as one of the most promising young midfielders in world football. Despite his age, the defensive midfielder has already accumulated significant senior experience and further enhanced his reputation with impressive performances for Morocco at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

But while his emergence has attracted widespread praise, Bouaddi insists his priority remains contributing to the collective rather than chasing individual accolades.

“I would say I am a player who plays for the team,” Bouaddi declared.

“I am a really collective player.

“I try to put my teammate in the best position and to give everything every time for the team.”

The teenager believes his role as a No.6 requires him to provide balance and allow those around him to flourish, rather than measure his contribution solely through goals and personal statistics.

“I think the most important aspect is to try to balance the team, [to] help your teammates,” he said.

“We know as a No.6 that you’re not going to score 20 goals in a season; well it can happen but it’s quite rare.

“So, you know you have to balance the team and do everything for the team and do your job.”

Bouaddi believes City move came at the perfect time

Bouaddi’s decision to leave Lille comes after nearly two years of senior football, having made his first-team debut for the French club at just 16.

He went on to make almost 100 senior appearances for Lille, gaining experience across European competitions before becoming a full Morocco international.

That accelerated development convinced Bouaddi that the time was right to take the next major step of his career, with a move to City offering the opportunity to continue his progression at one of Europe’s elite clubs.

“I think it was the right time because I was good in Lille,” the 18-year-old added.

“I felt very good, but I felt it was the right moment to step over.”

His journey began much earlier, however, with Bouaddi recalling how he started playing football at six before moving from his hometown of Creil to Lille’s academy at 14.

“I started playing really quite young at six-years-old,” he said.

“I was in Creil, a small city in France. Then I went in Lille when I was 14 years old. I played in the Academy and then I started playing with the First Team.”

From Lille academy to Manchester City

Bouaddi’s development has been remarkably swift, taking him from youth football in France to the biggest stages in the game within a few years.

He has already played in the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League, while his World Cup experience with Morocco has added another significant chapter to his young career.

“Then I started playing Champions League, Europa League, Conference League, World Cup. And today I’m here,” Bouaddi said.

That progression has now culminated in a move to Manchester, where expectations will be high despite his tender age.

For Bouaddi, though, the transfer represents both a source of pride and a carefully considered step in his development.

“I am really, really happy – really proud to be here at one of the greatest clubs in the world and I hope everything is going to be right in the future,” he said.

“Coming to City I think was the right thing to do and I am really happy and proud to be here.”

With a long-term contract secured, Bouaddi will now look to translate the promise he showed at Lille and on the international stage into a new chapter at the Etihad, where his team-first approach will be central to his attempt to establish himself among City’s midfield options.