Manchester City Complete Ayyoub Bouaddi Signing From Lille

Manchester City have completed the signing of Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille, with the 18-year-old midfielder putting pen to paper on a five-year deal that runs until 2031, subject to international clearance, according to Goal.com.

The Morocco international arrives at the Etihad having made 96 senior appearances for Lille and earned eight caps for the Atlas Lions, per the same report. His stock rose further at the recent World Cup, where he impressed in midfield for Morocco, including a standout display against Brazil.

Speaking after the move was confirmed, Bouaddi said he considers City "the best Club in the world" and pointed to the squad's quality and manager Enzo Maresca as factors behind the switch. City's director of football, Hugo Viana, praised the teenager's football intelligence, saying he already has "outstanding football intelligence" for his age.

Bouaddi helped Lille return to the Champions League last season and joins City as one of the more highly rated young midfielders in Europe, giving Maresca fresh options in the middle of the park as the club continues its push for silverware across competitions this season.