Reda El Meliani: Morocco-born Dutch right-back joins Ittihad Tanger on free transfer

Morocco-Netherlands defender Reda El Meliani has joined Ittihad Tanger on a free transfer from Dutch side Roda JC. The 21-year-old right-back moves to the Botola Pro Inwi club after one season with Roda’s first team, where he broke into senior professional football.

El Meliani, born in Veghel in the Netherlands and eligible for both Morocco and the Netherlands, arrives in Tangier as a specialist right-back, standing at 1.79m and favouring his right foot. His move comes with a current market value of around €100,000, reflecting his progression through Dutch youth and second-tier football.

Having stepped up from Roda JC’s under-21s to the senior squad in 2025, El Meliani made his mark in the Keuken Kampioen Divisie. He featured 20 times in the Dutch second tier, adding further outings in the domestic cup and promotion play-offs, and passing 1,000 league minutes in the process.

Before joining Roda JC’s youth ranks in 2024, El Meliani spent over a decade in the PSV Eindhoven system, moving through PSV’s academy from youth level to the under-21 side. His development included regular games at under-17 and under-18 level and appearances in domestic youth cups and the Premier League International Cup at under-21 level.

El Meliani officially joins Ittihad Tanger on 20 July 2026 following the expiry of his contract with Roda JC, completing a free transfer to the Moroccan top flight.