Yanis Begraoui, a key player for Morocco’s U23 team, has signed with Portuguese club Estoril. This move comes shortly after Amine El Ouazzani’s transfer to Braga, marking another Moroccan talent’s shift to Portugal.
Begraoui’s journey in professional football began in Ligue 2 with AJ Auxerre in 2017. Despite his early promise, he struggled to secure a regular spot in the team, leading to his transfer to Toulouse FC in the summer of 2021.
At Toulouse, he experienced the triumph of winning the Ligue 2 title and earned promotion to Ligue 1.
However, his time in the top flight was limited to just three appearances in the first half of the season, prompting a loan move to Pau, where he excelled with nine goals in 18 matches.
Returning to Toulouse after an impressive performance at the U23 Africa Cup of Nations, Begraoui found more playing time, featuring in 14 matches.
Nevertheless, he struggled to make a significant impact and was loaned back to Pau for the second half of the 2023-2024 season.
His performance this time was less remarkable, with only two goals in 19 appearances.
At 22, Begraoui’s potential remains evident, and Estoril, who finished 13th in the 2023-2024 Portuguese Primeira Liga, has recognized his talent by signing him for four seasons.
His experience and youth make him a valuable asset for Estoril, who are looking to strengthen their squad.
Internationally, Begraoui has been a regular for Morocco’s U23 team, earning 17 caps and scoring four goals.
He played a crucial role in Morocco’s U23 Africa Cup of Nations victory in 2023, scoring three goals, including one in the final.
His consistent performances at the youth level have made him a key player for Morocco’s U23 side.
However, Begraoui’s participation in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games is now uncertain.
It remains unclear whether Estoril will release him for the Olympics, potentially leaving Morocco’s U23 coach, Tarik Sektioui, without one of his star players.
Sektioui is set to announce the squad list by Wednesday, July 3, and the decision regarding Begraoui’s availability is eagerly awaited.
This transfer to Estoril represents a new chapter in Begraoui’s career, offering him the chance to develop further in a competitive European league.
For Estoril, acquiring a player of Begraoui’s caliber is a strategic move to bolster their attacking options and improve their standing in the Primeira Liga.
As Begraoui embarks on this new journey, fans and analysts will be watching closely to see how he adapts to Portuguese football and whether he can fulfill his potential at Estoril.
🚨Yanis Begraoui s’engage pour 4 saisons à Estoril ! 🇵🇹
Décidément, nos U23 sont en vogue dans le championnat portugais ! pic.twitter.com/M0xKYuSslZ
— SOCCER212 (@SCCR_212) July 1, 2024
