Hicham M’Laab has officially taken a significant step in his football career, signing his first professional contract with FC Nantes. The 26-year-old midfielder, who joined Nantes last summer on an amateur deal, has impressed the club with his performances in the **CFA, scoring five goals and earning recognition as one of the talents highlighted by Foot-National.
M’Laab’s journey to professional football has been far from conventional. Unlike many of his peers who are scouted and integrated into professional academies at a young age, M’Laab was a late discovery. He spent time in several training centers, including **RC Lens**, where he played for the reserve team during the 2013-2014 season. His progression to the professional ranks was delayed, and he only recently began to demonstrate his potential at a level that earned him a spot in the senior squad.
His path underscores the perseverance and dedication required to reach professional football when coming from a non-linear career trajectory. M’Laab’s late emergence highlights the challenges faced by players who do not follow the traditional youth academy system, yet it also illustrates that talent and hard work can eventually be rewarded with the opportunity to compete at the highest level.
Since joining Nantes, M’Laab has gradually integrated into the team, appearing once in **Ligue 1** and once in the **Coupe de France** under coach **Michel Der Zakarian**. While his minutes on the pitch have been limited, his performances in the CFA and his evident potential convinced the club to offer him a professional deal, solidifying his place within the Nantes squad.
For Nantes, signing M’Laab represents both a commitment to nurturing emerging talent and an acknowledgment of the value of players who develop outside traditional pathways. His journey can serve as an inspiration for other players who might have been overlooked early in their careers but continue to work diligently and showcase their abilities in lower divisions or reserve teams.
M’Laab’s signing also adds depth to Nantes’ midfield options. His experiences across various training centers and teams have helped him develop versatility and resilience, qualities that are expected to contribute to the squad both on and off the pitch. Coach Der Zakarian now has the option to integrate a player who has not only technical ability but also a strong mental attitude forged through a unique and challenging journey.
As M’Laab embarks on this new chapter of his career, all eyes will be on his development at Nantes. His story exemplifies how late bloomers can make an impact in professional football and serves as a reminder that talent can emerge at any age, given the right opportunity and environment. With his first professional contract secured, Hicham M’Laab is now poised to take the next steps in establishing himself as a key player in **Ligue 1.
