Manchester City sign teenage midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille until 2031
Manchester City have completed the signing of 18-year-old midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille on a contract running until 2031, adding another young option to their rebuilt midfield.
Bouaddi has already made two substitute appearances under Enzo Maresca as City manage his first weeks in England. The teenager arrives with more than 100 senior competitive matches behind him and is expected to press for a regular role once he settles at the Etihad Stadium.
Who the deal affects
- Ayyoub Bouaddi: The former Lille player has signed for five years and will compete for central-midfield minutes at City.
- Elliot Anderson: The England international joined in the same summer for £116m ($157m).
- Enzo Fernandez: Argentina’s World Cup winner also arrived, in a £125m ($169m) move.
- Rodri: City’s new midfield recruits are being brought in after the Ballon d’Or winner left for Barcelona.
City director of football Hugo Viana said Bouaddi has the attributes required of an elite midfielder, highlighting his football intelligence and insisting the club had tracked him closely before deciding to act.
“His potential is extremely high,” Viana said. “At only 18, he already has outstanding football intelligence, and that will keep developing under Enzo.”
From Lille prospect to Morocco international
- Bouaddi came through at Lille and accumulated over a century of senior competitive outings despite his age.
- He represented France from under-16 through to under-21 level.
- He subsequently chose Morocco and featured with the Atlas Lions at the 2026 World Cup.
- City won the race for his signature and have now begun introducing him through substitute appearances.
The midfielder said City were the ideal environment for the next stage of his development, describing the move as a dream and pointing to the club’s possession-based style, trophy demands and world-class squad.
“I am only 18 and there is still a lot for me to improve,” Bouaddi said. “I will give everything to help the club compete for every title.”
Former City defender Bacary Sagna believes Bouaddi has the temperament and technical control to reach the game’s highest level. He compared the teenager’s potential ceiling with Rodri and Sergio Busquets, praising his maturity, work rate and calmness in possession.
What happens next
Bouaddi’s immediate challenge is to force his way past Anderson and Fernandez in Maresca’s midfield plans. City will continue to ease him into first-team action, but the new signing is targeting a larger role as the club seek to cover the gap left by Rodri’s Barcelona departure.
