100 million euros, and Lille have never sold anyone for more
Ninety-six appearances in a Lille shirt, then a fee that can climb to 100 million euros with bonuses. LOSC confirmed on Wednesday that Ayyoub Bouaddi has signed for Manchester City. No sale in the club’s history has come close to it.
“Wishing you a brilliant and great career, Ayyoub!” the club wrote. The midfielder is 18. He spent five seasons in the first-team squad after coming through the academy, and he leaves as a Morocco international.
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He sat his baccalaureate a year early, and passed with honours
Bouaddi has rarely done anything at a normal pace. Professional terms at 15 and a half. A win in the national public speaking competition for youth academies, held at the Elysee, in 2023. Then a science baccalaureate a year ahead of schedule, top marks attached.
The football kept up with the rest. He became the youngest player to appear in Ligue 1 this century, held his own against Real Madrid in the Champions League and played his part in Lille’s win in Rome in the Europa League. With Morocco he started at the last World Cup. Youngest player in a World Cup quarter-final since Pele.
Letang: sadness first, pride second
Olivier Letang did not hide behind club-speak. “The first feeling is one of sadness and nostalgia,” the Lille president wrote, before turning to what the move actually represents: “a young Dogue succeeding at the very highest level and joining one of the most powerful clubs on the planet.”
City have a hole in midfield. Rodri left for FC Barcelona and the shape of that side has not settled since. Bouaddi arrives with the stated ambition of becoming one of the best in the world in the role. He is 18.
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