Manchester City have signed Morocco midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille on a five-year contract in a deal worth €100 million (£85.6 million), according to the French club.
The transfer makes the 18-year-old the most expensive teenager in Premier League history, surpassing Manchester United’s £58.9 million deal for Leny Yoro, who also joined from Lille in 2024.
City moved for Bouaddi after Rodri joined Barcelona and Tijjani Reijnders moved to Al-Qadsiah, while Nico Gonzalez is also expected to leave the club.
Bouaddi was one of Morocco’s standout performers at the recent World Cup, helping the national team reach the quarter-finals before their elimination by France.
He will join England midfielder Elliot Anderson in City’s revamped midfield after Anderson completed a reported £116 million move from Nottingham Forest in June.
Speaking after completing his transfer, Bouaddi said joining City was a dream and praised the club’s style of football.
“It’s a dream to be here and be able to call myself a City player,” he said.
“I’ve watched City for many years, and I love their style of play. City always try and play quality football, and they have shown they are winners – this club feels like it’s built to win.”
Bouaddi also acknowledged that he still has plenty of room for development at 18 and said City was the ideal environment for him to improve.
“The squad is world class and Enzo is a top manager. I have plenty of improving to do, I am only 18,” he added.
“This club demands trophies and I will give everything to make sure we are challenging for every title.”
City director of football Hugo Viana said the club had monitored Bouaddi closely and was convinced the teenager could develop into a major talent.
“We have watched him very, very closely and throughout that process we have become increasingly convinced he is a huge talent who will thrive at City,” Viana said.
City also remain interested in Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez, although the Blues’ recent deadline for bids for the £120 million-rated Argentina international passed without an agreement.
The signing of Bouaddi comes after City began the season with a 2-1 Premier League victory over Bournemouth following their 3-0 defeat to Arsenal in the Community Shield.
