Manchester City Complete £86m Move for Lille Teenager Ayyoub Bouaddi

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Manchester City have completed the signing of highly rated midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi from French club Lille, the Premier League champions announced on Wednesday.

The 18-year-old has agreed to a five-year contract with City, although the club did not disclose the transfer fee. British media reports, however, put the value of the deal at around £86 million ($117 million).

Bouaddi emerged as one of French football's most promising young talents after making his Lille debut in 2023 at just 16, becoming the youngest player to represent the club.

He enjoyed a breakthrough campaign last season, making 30 appearances in Ligue 1 and further enhancing his reputation as a composed and technically gifted midfielder.

Internationally, Bouaddi has also made a rapid rise. He earned his senior debut for Morocco in May before being selected for their World Cup squad.

The teenager made his World Cup debut against Brazil and started five of Morocco's six matches as the North African side advanced to the quarter-finals.
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