Moroccan youngsters Linton, Benzahra and Haddani turn professional in 24-hour surge

Moroccan football has celebrated three first professional contracts in the space of 24 hours, with Yunus Linton joining Southampton and Safouane Benzahra and Nahel Haddani committing their futures to AS Monaco.

All three players were born in 2008 and have signed deals running until June 2029. Their moves underline the growing number of Moroccan prospects developing within leading European clubs.

Linton, a 17-year-old midfielder, has emerged outside the traditional English academy system but attracted interest from several Premier League and European sides. Southampton won the race for his signature, handing him a three-year contract.

He will initially join the club’s Under-18 side. Linton is eligible to represent Morocco and has also received his first call-up to the Morocco Under-17 squad.

Benzahra is further along in his development. Born in Breda in the Netherlands, the 18-year-old attacking midfielder joined AS Monaco from NAC Breda in 2025.

He scored eight goals for Monaco Under-19s last season before being included in the first-team pre-season squad. Benzahra then made appearances in the UEFA Conference League and Ligue 1, featuring in the victory in Paris.

His international future remains undecided. Although he has represented Morocco at youth level, the Netherlands-born Moroccan has now been called up by France Under-19s.

Haddani, meanwhile, has built his reputation as a natural goalscorer. Before moving to AS Monaco, the striker scored 22 goals in the national Under-17 championship for Saint-Clement Montferrier.

He continued that form in his first season in Monaco, finding the net 14 times in 22 Under-19 appearances. Haddani is also a Morocco youth international and scored three goals and provided one assist at the 2025 U17 World Cup.

The forward is now part of Monaco’s Groupe Elite as he continues his progression towards the senior squad.

His professional contract also follows an established pattern at AS Monaco. A few months earlier, Ilies Belmokhtar signed his first professional deal with the club after helping Morocco win the U17 Africa Cup of Nations.

The agreements do not guarantee that Linton, Benzahra or Haddani will reach the highest level, but they represent important milestones in their development.

Benzahra has already experienced senior football, while Haddani is moving closer to AS Monaco’s first team. Linton, by contrast, is only beginning his development at Southampton. Their paths differ, but all three are now tied to clubs until 2029 and to organisations recognised for developing young players.