VfB Stuttgart have confirmed the signing of Algerian international Badreddine Bouanani from OGC Nice on a five-year contract.
The 20-year-old attacking midfielder has joined the Bundesliga side for a reported fee of around €20m including bonuses, committing his future to the club until 2030.
His arrival marks one of Stuttgart’s most notable acquisitions of the transfer window, as they look to strengthen their squad ahead of another campaign in Europe.
Bouanani came through the youth system at Lille before moving to Nice, where he established himself as one of Ligue 1’s most promising talents.
Over three seasons with the French club, he featured in 65 league matches, registering four goals and seven assists, while also appearing 11 times in European competition.
At Stuttgart, he will link up with coach Sebastian Hoeneß and a side that finished ninth in the Bundesliga last season but lifted the German Cup, ensuring qualification for the UEFA Europa League.
The club views Bouanani as a player capable of adding creativity and attacking flair to their midfield options as they prepare for a demanding schedule across domestic and European fronts.
Bouanani is a player with enormous potential who has already proven himself in France, Stuttgart officials said during the announcement. “We are confident he will adapt quickly and bring quality to our attack.
The move represents an important step in the career of the Algerian international, who has been tipped as one of the rising stars of African football.
Although he has not featured in recent national team call-ups, his performances in Germany could strengthen his case for selection in future squads.
Bouanani’s decision to make the switch comes at a time when young North African talents are increasingly sought after by European clubs, and Stuttgart will hope they have secured a player whose development is only beginning to accelerate.
For Nice, his departure signals the end of a promising chapter, with the club benefiting both from his contributions on the pitch and the financial return of the transfer.
For Stuttgart, however, it is a statement of ambition as they prepare to reassert themselves in both the Bundesliga and on the European stage.
Bouanani will be available to join his new teammates immediately, with pre-season preparations already underway as Stuttgart target another competitive year under Hoeneß’s guidance.
