Ayyoub Bouaddi joins Manchester City in €100m move

Manchester City have completed the signing of Morocco international Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille in a deal reported to be worth €100 million. The 18-year-old midfielder, who shone at the FIFA World Cup 2026, is expected to play a key role in the club's new era under manager Enzo Maresca.

Rapid rise at Lille

Bouaddi made his professional debut for Lille in October 2023 at just 16 years and three days old, becoming one of the youngest players in Ligue 1 history. Over the following seasons, he established himself as a regular in the first team, amassing 96 appearances for the French club before his departure.

Born in Senlis, France, Bouaddi progressed through the French youth system before choosing to represent Morocco in May 2025. He was a key figure for the Atlas Lions at the FIFA World Cup 2026, playing in every match except the 4-2 victory over Haiti in the group stage, and helped the team reach the quarter-finals, where they were eliminated by France.

New era at Manchester City

Bouaddi arrives at the Etihad Stadium during a period of transition for Manchester City. Rodri, the winner of the adidas Golden Ball at the last World Cup, has moved to Barcelona, while long-serving manager Pep Guardiola has been replaced by Enzo Maresca. The young Moroccan is seen as a central figure in the club's plans for the future.

Speaking at his presentation, Bouaddi expressed his excitement about the move: "I'm very happy and very proud to be here, at one of the best clubs in the world. And I hope everything goes well in the future. I think it was the right time because I was doing well at Lille, I felt very much at home there, but it was time to take the next step. I think coming to City is a good move and I'm really happy and proud to be here. I can't wait for [Enzo] Maresca to be my manager. The team has some great players too; I'm looking forward to meeting them in the dressing room, playing alongside them and sharing some good times with them."

World Cup 2030 ambitions

With the FIFA World Cup 2030 on the horizon, Morocco will be one of the host nations alongside Spain and Portugal, with Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay also hosting centenary celebrations. Bouaddi is expected to be a key player for the Atlas Lions in that tournament, and his move to Manchester City is seen as a crucial step in his development.

Bouaddi could make his debut for City as early as Friday, when the team travel to face Crystal Palace in Matchday 2 of the Premier League. He will join a squad that includes Erling Haaland and fellow new signing Rayan Cherki.