Sporting CP win race for Morocco teenager Moncef Zekri

Moncef Zekri is at Estadio Jose Alvalade to complete his move to Sporting CP, with the 17-year-old Morocco left-back preparing to sign a four-season contract with the Portuguese club.

Zekri is carrying out his official photographs in Lisbon before the transfer is announced. Sporting CP have agreed to pay about €3.5m in guaranteed compensation for the defender, with additional performance-related bonuses included in the deal.

The move sees Sporting CP beat competition from several prominent European clubs. PSV Eindhoven and Ajax Amsterdam were also interested in the teenager, but the Lisbon side have moved quickly to secure his arrival.

Zekri was developed by KV Mechelen and has attracted attention through his performances in Belgium and with Morocco’s youth teams. The left-back, who is recognised as a youth international for his country, will now continue his development in Portugal with the Leoes.

His arrival is intended to strengthen Sporting CP’s options on the left side of defence. He is expected to help cover the departure of Ricardo Mangas and will compete with Maxi Araujo for a place under the club’s Portuguese coaching staff.

Although the transfer is not yet formally announced, Zekri’s presence at Estadio Jose Alvalade and the completion of the official photography indicate that the final stages of the move are under way. The agreement will commit the young defender to Sporting CP for four seasons once completed.

Sporting CP’s decision to invest a fixed fee of approximately €3.5m, potentially increased by bonuses, reflects the competition for one of Morocco’s promising young defenders. PSV Eindhoven and Ajax Amsterdam had also identified Zekri as a player of interest, but Sporting CP have won the race for his signature.

The teenager’s pathway from KV Mechelen to Lisbon follows his emergence in Belgium and his progress through Morocco’s youth selections. At Sporting CP, he will join the first-team set-up as the club reshapes its left flank following Mangas’ departure.

Zekri’s immediate challenge will be to establish himself in a squad where Maxi Araujo is another option in that position. For Sporting CP, the signing provides another young defensive player while adding depth to the left side of the team.