Bouaddi joins Manchester City for €100m, historic record for Ligue 1

Manchester City officially confirmed on Wednesday the signing of Ayyoub Bouaddi from LOSC for 100 million euros, making the 18-year-old Moroccan midfielder the most expensive transfer in Ligue 1 history to a foreign club.

The player has committed to the Skyblues until 2031 and will wear number 32. In its statement, Manchester City emphasizes that he “arrives as one of the most promising young players in world football, having played 96 matches with Lille and already earned eight caps for the national team”. Bouaddi notably reached the quarter-finals of the last World Cup with Morocco.

With this 100 million euro operation, Lille surpasses its own previous Ligue 1 sale records. The transfer of Neymar Jr to Al-Hilal for 90 million euros in summer 2023 and that of Aurélien Tchouaméni to Real Madrid for 80 million euros in 2022 are now relegated to second and third place in this ranking.

For its part, LOSC paid tribute to its former player in a statement: “Ayyoub Bouaddi has marked LOSC’s history through his precocity, his talent and his trajectory. As we see him take flight to the Premier League, the Club wishes to thank him for his commitment, his kindness and his great professionalism.”