Manchester City have completed the signing of French midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille on a five-year deal, the Premier League champions announced.
The clubs did not reveal the transfer fee, although reports in Britain put the figure at £86 million ($117 million) for the 18-year-old.
Bouaddi described City as “the best club in the world” and said joining them fulfilled a dream. He added that he had devoted most of his life to improving as a footballer and reaching the highest level.
He played 30 Ligue 1 matches for Lille last season, having made history in 2023 as the club’s youngest-ever player at 16.
Bouaddi made his Morocco debut in May before being selected for their World Cup squad. He appeared for the first time in the tournament against Brazil and started five of Morocco’s six games as they progressed to the quarter-finals.
City also brought in England international Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest for a reported £116 million ($158 million) last month.
The club have seen midfielders Rodri, Bernardo Silva and Tijjani Reijnders depart during the ongoing transfer window.
