Ayyoub Bouaddi\u2019s rise has moved at remarkable speed, and the latest step is a transfer to Manchester City that crowns a remarkable few months for the midfielder. Barely known to a wider audience three months ago, he is now arriving in the Premier League after a World Cup breakout with Morocco this summer.<\/p>\n
Lille fought hard to keep hold of a player they viewed as a major talent on the verge of something bigger. After lengthy negotiations, the two clubs agreed a deal worth $117 million (\u00a386 million), with almost all of that fee guaranteed and only a small portion tied to add-ons.<\/p>\n
The move makes Bouaddi the most expensive teenager in Premier League history and the most expensive 18-year-old ever. Those records previously belonged to Manchester United defender Leny Yoro, whose 2024 move from Lille was worth the equivalent of $80.15 million.<\/p>\n
Bouaddi has signed a five-year contract at the Etihad Stadium through the summer of 2031 and will wear the No. 32 shirt he also wore at Lille. In east Manchester, that number is most associated with ex-City and United striker Carlos Tevez.<\/p>\n
His World Cup performances for Morocco underlined why City moved so decisively. Morocco reached the 2026 World Cup quarterfinals with a much-changed team from 2022, and Bouaddi impressed with his maturity and composure in central midfield. That matters for City because he is being asked to help replace 2024 Ballon d\u2019Or winner Rodri.<\/p>\n
City director of football Hugo Viana praised Bouaddi\u2019s \u201coutstanding football intelligence\u201d when the deal was announced. He also said: \u201cWe have watched him very, very closely and throughout that process we have become increasingly convinced he is a huge talent who will thrive at City,\u201d Viana added. \u201cWe are really happy he has joined us and our job now is to ensure we provide him with everything he needs to fulfill his potential.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lille manager Davide Ancelotti was equally bullish, saying Bouaddi is \u201cgoing to be one of the best midfielders in Europe for the next 10 years.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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