Bouaddi joins Man City in record-breaking transfer

Syndicated reporting provided by Stats Perform and reviewed by the SoccerNews editorial team.

Ayyoub Bouaddi is ready to “give everything for Manchester City” after completing a record-breaking move from Lille.

City have reportedly signed the 18-year-old for £85.6m (€95m) – £81.3m as a fixed fee with £4.3m in add-ons – making him the most expensive teenage signing in Premier League history.

His fee surpasses the £58.9m Manchester United paid for Leny Yoro, also from Lille, back in 2024.

Bouaddi has signed a five-year deal with City, keeping him at the Etihad until June 2031.

The midfielder came through Lille’s academy before making his senior debut in October 2023 and went on to make 96 appearances in all competitions.

“I would say I am a player who plays for the team,” Bouaddi declared. I am a really collective player.

“I try to put my team-mate in the best position and to give everything every time for the team.

“I think the most important aspect is to try to balance the team, [to] help your team-mates.

— Manchester City (@ManCity) August 26, 2026

“We know as a No.6 that you’re not going to score 20 goals in a season; well, it can happen, but it’s quite rare.

“So, you know you have to balance the team and do everything for the team and do your job.”

Bouaddi wrote his name into the Lille history books in January, becoming the youngest player in the club’s history to reach 50 Ligue 1 appearances (18 years and 115 days), breaking Eden Hazard’s record set in 2009.

He had signed a new contract extension with Lille that ran through to June 2029 back in December.

However, after being labelled one of the most exciting young players in Ligue 1, Bouaddi then impressed at the World Cup, making five appearances as he helped Morocco through to the quarter-finals.

In that last-eight encounter with France, he also became the youngest African teenager to make five World Cup appearances (18y 280d).

There is still expected to be a lot of movement at City before the transfer deadline, with their attention reportedly now turning to Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez as their midfield rebuild continues.

They have already sold Rodri and Tijjani Reijnders this transfer window, while Bernardo Silva left at the end of last season following the expiry of his contract.

Nico Gonzalez is also said to be doing his medical at Newcastle United on Wednesday, while Omar Marmoush looks set to follow Savio to Tottenham on a loan with an obligation to buy.

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