City moved for Bouaddi after selling Spain’s World Cup winning captain Rodri to Barcelona and Tijjani Reijnders to Al-Qadsiah, with Nico Gonzalez also poised to leave the Etihad. Manchester City have signed teenage Morocco midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille in a five-year deal the French club said Wednesday was worth 100 million euros (86 million pounds, $117 million). The 18-year-old rising star was one of the stand-out players at the recent World Cup, helping Morocco reach the quarter-finals before they were beaten by France.
Bouaddi Expresses Pride in Joining Manchester City
Bouaddi shared his excitement about joining Manchester City, stating, “This is a very special day for me and my family.” He emphasized his admiration for the club, declaring, “Manchester City are, for me, the best Club in the world.”
City are also believed to retain an interest in Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez, but the Blues set a recent deadline for bids for the £120 million-rated Argentine that passed without a deal being done. City were thrashed 3-0 by Arsenal in the Community Shield, but they started their Premier League campaign with a 2-1 win at home to Bournemouth on Sunday.
City Player Reflects on Journey and Club’s Winning Mentality
“It’s a dream to be here and be able to call myself a City player,” said the athlete, emphasizing the dedication required to reach this level. The player noted that they have devoted most of their life to becoming the best they can be in the sport.
The player praised Manchester City for their commitment to quality football, stating, “City always try and play quality football. And they have shown they are winners — this Club feels like it’s built to win.”
