Manchester City sign Morocco teenager Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille for reported €100m

Manchester City have signed Morocco international Ayyoub Bouaddi from French club Lille on a five-season contract.

The reported value of the deal is €100m (£86m), including add-ons, with Bouaddi becoming only the second Moroccan player in Manchester City’s history.

He follows Brahim Diaz, the current Real Madrid player who previously represented the Premier League club.

Bouaddi, 18, said completing the move was a landmark moment for him and his family.

“This is a very special day for me and my family,” he told Manchester City’s official website.

“For me, Manchester City are the best team in the world. To be here and be able to call myself a Manchester City player is a dream. I have spent most of my life working to become the best player I can be and to reach the top of the game.”

The midfielder also said he had admired Manchester City’s football for several years and believed the club’s success was built around a winning mentality.

“I have watched Manchester City for several years and I love the way the club plays. They have shown that they are a winning team. This club was built to win,” he added.

“This team is great and Enzo Fernandez is a great manager. I am excited to play at the Etihad Stadium in front of the fans.”

Bouaddi said he still had significant room for improvement despite the progress he had already made at a young age.

“I have a lot of room to develop. I am only 18 years old and I am happy with the progress I have made so far. This club demands trophies and I will give everything to make sure we compete for every competition,” he said.

Rise to prominence

Bouaddi attracted widespread attention during the 2026 World Cup, where he played a significant role in Morocco’s run to the quarter-finals. He started five matches during the tournament.

The teenager had already made history with Lille in 2023, becoming the youngest player to appear in a competitive first-team match for the club at the age of 16.

He later broke another Lille record previously held by Eden Hazard, becoming the youngest player to reach 50 Ligue 1 appearances for the club.

Bouaddi had represented France at youth level before switching his international allegiance to Morocco. He has made 96 appearances for Lille in all competitions and supplied four assists.

During the 2025-26 season, he received nine yellow cards and two red cards.

His move to Manchester City marks the latest stage in a rapid rise that began with his record-breaking debut for Lille and continued with his emergence on the international stage for Morocco. The club have now secured his services on a long-term contract, while Bouaddi will look to establish himself at a side he describes as the best team in the world.