Who is Ayyoub Bouaddi? Age, club, position and stats

Ayyoub Bouaddi is a 19-year-old defensive midfielder born in Senlis, France on 2 October 2007, who now plays for Morocco and, since late August 2026, Manchester City. He arrived from Lille in a deal that Wikipedia puts at £85.6m, with the press quoting about €100m, after a summer in which he made his World Cup debut against Brazil and played in the quarter-final against France.

Who is Ayyoub Bouaddi?

Bouaddi came through AFC Creil (2012-2021) before joining Lille’s academy, signing his first professional contract in August 2023 and extending it to 2029 in December 2025. His Lille years were a steady climb: 18 appearances in 2023-24, 36 in 2024-25 and 42 in 2025-26, including 10 in Europe last season, all without a goal.

Age, nationality and club

He is 19 as of 11 November 2026. Born in France, he played at every France youth level from U16 to U21 and captained the U21s, but switched to Morocco on 15 May 2026 after FIFA approval. He has ten senior caps (as of 4 October), no goals.

Manchester City signed him on a five-year deal on 26 August 2026 and he wears number 32. FotMob lists the contract to June 2031. He is not on loan and we found no injury record. Coverage framed him as a long-term answer to the hole left by Rodri’s departure, while Enzo Maresca publicly asked for patience.

Position, foot and 2026/27 numbers

A defensive midfielder (also listed as a central midfielder and right-back), he stands 185 cm. We could not verify his preferred foot from a reliable source, so we leave it blank. According to FotMob’s 10 November snapshot he has played five Premier League matches (two starts, 177 minutes) without a goal or assist, with an average rating of 6.62. Champions League minutes stand at 45 and 7, and Wikipedia has two League Cup appearances. Small differences between sources likely reflect update dates.

Against that, his 2025-26 Lille season read 30 league games, 2 cup and 10 European games, 42 in all. The drop in minutes is the story of a teenager entering a deeper squad, not a verdict on his level.

What kind of player is he?

Match evidence is thin but telling. He made his City debut off the bench in the 4-1 win over Crystal Palace on 28 August, completing all 21 of his passes according to one press report; Squawka noted that Maresca would like his ability to keep the ball in tight areas. At the World Cup he played in the 1-1 draw with Brazil and the quarter-final against France.

We found no independent data on his pressing, rest-defence or line-breaking passing, so we describe him only as a ball-retaining No.6 and will add detail when numbers allow.

Strengths and growth areas

Strengths: elite stage experience at 19, retention under pressure, 185 cm frame and positional flexibility. Growth areas: no goal in 107 club games, and winning minutes in a City midfield that is still being rebuilt. A 6.62 rating over 177 minutes is a small sample, not a trend.

What does Football Manager 2027 say?

This is game data, not real performance. FM27 lists him as an 18-year-old Moroccan at Man City, coded as DM and central midfielder, with current ability 143, a value of £67m and a right foot. The age mismatch with his real birthday is an example of why the game is not a source for facts.

Could he suit a Turkish Süper Lig side?

Not financially: City paid around €100m and tied him to 2031, and there is no reported Turkish interest, so we name no club. Tactically he would suit teams that want a possession-based single or double pivot, but that is a possible fit, not a verified approach.

GegenSports view

Bouaddi is a high-ceiling, low-sample profile: three steady seasons at Lille and major-tournament experience give him a solid floor. His City minutes and passing and ball-winning data over the coming months will show how big the ceiling is.

Frequently asked questions

How old is Ayyoub Bouaddi?

Born on 2 October 2007, he is 19 as of 11 November 2026.

Where is Ayyoub Bouaddi from?

He was born in Senlis, France, and plays for Morocco.

Which club does Ayyoub Bouaddi play for?

Manchester City in the Premier League, signed from Lille in August 2026.

What position does Ayyoub Bouaddi play?

Defensive midfielder, also listed as a central midfielder and right-back.

How many goals has Ayyoub Bouaddi scored in 2026/27?

None; FotMob shows 5 Premier League games (177 minutes), no goals or assists, as of 10 November 2026.

Photo: Berlination, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons