Manchester City have completed the signing of Morocco international midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi from French club Lille in a record-breaking transfer for a teenager in Premier League history.
The 18-year-old has signed a five-year contract that will keep him at Manchester City until 2031. According to Sky Sports, City will pay a guaranteed fee of £81.3 million, with bonuses potentially taking the total value of the deal to £86 million (approximately €100 million).
The transfer makes Bouaddi the most expensive teenager ever signed by a Premier League club, surpassing the previous record held by Leny Yoro, after Manchester United paid £58.9 million to sign him from Lille in 2024.
Who Is Bouaddi?
Born in France, Bouaddi came through Lille's youth academy before making his first-team debut at the age of 16 in 2023. He quickly established himself as one of Europe's most promising young midfielders.
During his time at Lille, Bouaddi made 96 appearances in all competitions, including 30 Ligue 1 appearances last season.
His profile grew further during the 2026 World Cup, where he helped Morocco reach the quarter-finals. Bouaddi started five of Morocco's six matches during their run, further increasing his market value and attracting interest from several major European clubs.
Why Have Manchester City Signed Him?
Bouaddi's arrival comes as Manchester City undergo a major reshaping of their midfield. The club have lost several important players in that area, including Rodri, Bernardo Silva and Tijjani Reijnders.
City had already signed England midfielder Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest, and Bouaddi appears to be part of a broader plan to rebuild the team's midfield under coach Enzo Maresca.
Bouaddi can operate as either a central midfielder or a defensive midfielder, with the ability to contribute to attacking build-up as well as defensive duties. That versatility makes him an important part of City's plans for a new generation of midfielders.
"It's a Dream to Be Here"
After completing the transfer, Bouaddi expressed his delight at joining Manchester City, describing the club as one of the best in the world and saying he has followed them for several years.
The midfielder also highlighted his admiration for City's philosophy of playing quality football and winning, while looking forward to playing in front of the fans at the Etihad Stadium.
City Enter a New Era
Bouaddi's signing is another indication of the significant changes taking place at Manchester City. Following the departures of several players who had been pillars of the team in recent years, the club have begun investing heavily in a new generation of talent.
For Bouaddi, the move represents the biggest step yet in his football journey: from Lille, where he made his first-team debut as a 16-year-old, to Manchester City as one of the most valuable young players in Premier League history.
His challenge now is to prove that such a substantial transfer fee can be matched by equally impressive performances on the pitch.
