Stephen Robinson hails Ayoub Mouloua’s rapid adaptation as Aberdeen striker adds new weapon to his game

Aberdeen manager Stephen Robinson believes Ayoub Mouloua’s improving hold-up play is evidence that the Morocco international is quickly adapting to the demands of Scottish football.

Mouloua has already shown he possesses the finishing ability to trouble defences, but Robinson was particularly encouraged by the striker’s all-round performance in Aberdeen’s 4-1 friendly victory over Dunfermline Athletic on Saturday.

The 26-year-old scored twice at East End Park and also created the opportunity for substitute Lewis Smith to add a fourth, but it was his ability to bring teammates into play that pleased Robinson most.

The Aberdeen boss believes the combination of Mouloua’s finishing and improving ability to hold up the ball can make him a major asset for the Dons.

“Ayoub had two great finishes against Dunfermline,” Robinson said.

“But the pleasing aspect for me more than anything was his hold-up play.”

Mouloua adding more to his game

Mouloua joined Aberdeen from Moroccan top-flight side FUS Rabat during the summer transfer window, signing a three-year contract with the club holding an option to extend the deal by a further year.

The Dons paid an undisclosed six-figure fee for the striker after he finished the 2024/25 Botola Pro season as the joint-top scorer with 11 goals.

He has wasted little time showing why Aberdeen invested in him.

Mouloua scored an audacious Panenka penalty during Aberdeen’s Premier Sports quarter-final shoot-out victory over Kilmarnock before producing an outstanding solo effort in the 4-0 Premiership win against Motherwell at Fir Park.

His latest brace against Dunfermline further underlined his threat in front of goal.

However, Robinson believes the striker’s development will depend on more than simply finding the net.

He feels Mouloua is beginning to understand the importance of holding up possession, bringing Aberdeen’s midfielders and attacking players into the game and helping the team move higher up the pitch.

“He hadn’t quite got the grasp of that as Ayoub had been playing first time too often and not getting us up the pitch,” Robinson said.

“But he was excellent at Dunfermline against two very competitive centre-halves within a team that will be challenging to be in the Premiership.”

Mouloua following Igamane path

Mouloua arrived at Pittodrie with an impressive scoring record and international pedigree.

The striker made his Morocco debut in August 2025, starting the 2-0 victory over Angola in the African Nations Championship. He earned his second cap days later as a substitute in the 1-0 defeat to Kenya.

Before completing his move to Aberdeen, Mouloua had produced numbers comparable to fellow Morocco international Hamza Igamane, according to Robinson.

Igamane joined Rangers from AS FAR in the summer of 2024 and enjoyed an impressive debut season in Scotland, scoring 16 goals before securing a £10.4 million move to French Ligue 1 club Lille.

Mouloua has yet to establish himself as a regular starter for Aberdeen, making just one start in 13 appearances this season.

That start came in the 3-0 Premiership defeat by Celtic at Parkhead on September 2, when he was among four players withdrawn at half-time.

He has otherwise largely been used from the bench, while a B-team appearance against Forfar in the KDM Evolution Trophy in August provided valuable playing time. Mouloua scored twice from the penalty spot in the 3-0 victory.

Language barrier slowing progress

Robinson believes Mouloua’s adaptation has also been complicated by the language barrier.

The striker does not speak English but is undertaking an intensive daily English course, the same programme previously used by former Aberdeen players Bojan Miovski and Ylber Ramadani.

French-speaking teammates, including Hicham Mahou and Tony Yogane, have also helped him understand instructions and communicate with the rest of the squad.

Robinson urged patience as Mouloua continues to settle into his new surroundings.

“People come to Aberdeen and get judged instantly,” he said.

“Ayoub is someone who it is going to take a little bit of time because of the language barrier as he doesn’t speak English.”

Despite the communication difficulties, Robinson says the striker has embraced the challenge and remains eager to improve.

“He is trying his best and is working on that,” he added.

“Ayoub is a player who wants to learn and wants to get better so that is a real positive.”

With Mouloua continuing to adjust to Scottish football while sharpening his all-round game, Robinson believes the striker’s best is still to come.

“He is improving all the time,” Robinson said.

“Both his finishes against Dunfermline were excellent and we know he has that in his game.”