Man City sign Morocco star Bouaddi for US$117m in record Premier League teenage deal

Manchester City has made history by signing Moroccan midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille in a record-breaking £117 million deal, making him the most expensive teenager in the Premier League's history. The French club announced the five-year contract on Wednesday, surpassing Manchester United's £58.9 million offer for Leny Yoro, also signed from Lille in 2024.

City's acquisition of Bouaddi follows the sales of Spain's World Cup-winning captain Rodri to Barcelona and Tijjani Reijnders to Al-Qadsiah, with Nico Gonzalez set to depart as well. The 18-year-old standout player from the recent World Cup helped Morocco reach the quarter-finals before losing to France. Bouaddi, who has made 96 appearances for Lille since breaking into the first team at the age of 16, expressed his excitement about joining Manchester City, describing it as "a dream to be here and be able to call myself a City player."

The club's director of football, Hugo Viana, praised Bouaddi as "a huge talent who will thrive at City" and emphasized the need for central midfield signings after replacing Pep Guardiola as the new manager.