Moroccan striker Youssef El-Arabi joins French side FC Nantes on free transfer

Moroccan forward Youssef El-Arabi has joined French side FC Nantes on a free transfer ahead of the upcoming football season.

The veteran striker, 38, has signed a two-year deal after an impressive spell with Cypriot giants APOEL, where he scored 14 goals and provided seven assists in 45 appearances during the 2024–25 campaign.

This move marks El-Arabi’s return to Ligue 1, 13 years after departing SM Caen in 2011. His career has since taken him to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Spain, where he notably finished fifth on the La Liga top scorers’ chart with Granada, netting 16 goals in 35 matches.

El-Arabi was especially prolific in Qatar, where he scored 107 goals in 95 games for Al-Duhail, winning two Golden Boot awards in the process.

FC Nantes believe his wealth of experience will strengthen their attack and play a key role in nurturing their younger players.