Toufik Cherifi: JS Kabylie complete free transfer for Algeria centre-back from Club Africain

JS Kabylie have completed the signing of Algerian centre-back Toufik Cherifi from Club Africain on a free transfer, securing the 24-year-old defender on a deal running from 2026-07-01 to 2029-06-30.

Cherifi arrives in Tizi Ouzou with a listed market value of €500k, making the move a notable piece of business for JS Kabylie given no transfer fee was paid. The deal sees him leave Tunisian side Club Africain and return to compete in Algeria’s Ligue 1, where he will line up in the domestic top flight for the first time with JSK.

A right-footed central defender standing 1.86m tall, Cherifi is expected to strengthen the heart of the Kabyle back line. His primary position is centre-back, and his profile suggests a defender built for aerial duels and penalty-box protection, attributes that JS Kabylie have been keen to reinforce after recent defensive inconsistencies.

Born on 19 Oct 2001 and capped at club level only, Cherifi’s career to date has taken him from Algeria to neighbouring Tunisia, where he represented Club Africain in the Tunisian Ligue 1. That experience in another North African top division now feeds back into the Algerian game, with JS Kabylie benefiting from a player who has already adapted to the physical and tactical demands of regional football.

The transfer marks a change of national league for the defender, moving from Tunisia’s Ligue Professionnelle 1 to Algeria’s Ligue 1. While both divisions share the same name, the switch restores Cherifi to his home country’s championship and offers JS Kabylie a domestic player with cross-border experience. The move also formally ends his spell at Club Africain, with no fee involved, meaning the Tunisian club lose a player valued in the mid-range bracket without direct financial compensation.

Cherifi’s club profile lists JS Kabylie as his current team, confirming that registration has been completed and the player is now officially part of the Algerian side’s squad. With his contract start date already active and no expiry previously listed at Club Africain, the free transfer reflects the conclusion of his prior deal and the opportunity JSK seized to add depth without transfer expenditure.

At 24, Cherifi fits the age profile of a player entering his prime years. JS Kabylie will hope that the combination of his physical attributes, top-flight exposure in Tunisia and familiarity with North African football culture can translate into consistent performances and leadership in the defensive unit.

If he settles quickly, this free transfer could prove one of the more astute moves of the window, offering Cherifi a platform to enhance his reputation in Algerian Ligue 1 and potentially push himself into wider contention at higher levels over the course of his new contract, which is scheduled to run until 2029-06-30.