Manchester City signs rising midfield star Ayyoub Bouaddi

Ayyoub Bouaddi

LONDON, Aug 26 (AP): Manchester City signed highly rated teenage midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille on Wednesday, getting a rising star seen as the Premier League giant's long-term replacement for Rodri.

The club confirmed the transfer in a statement on its website, saying the 18-year-old Moroccan international has signed a five-year-contract. No financial details were given, but French sports daily L'Équipe estimated the transfer to be 100 million euros ($117 million).

Bouaddi's arrival follows the departure of 2024 men's Ballon d’Or winner Rodri, who recently joined Barcelona after helping Spain win the World Cup.

"This is a very special day for me and my family,” Bouaddi said. "I’ve watched City for many years, and I love their style of play. City always tries to play quality football. And they have shown they are winners; this club feels like it’s built to win.”

The fee makes Bouaddi the most expensive player sold from the French league, surpassing the 90 million euros Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal paid to get Neymar from Paris Saint-Germain in 2023.

It is a statement signing from the new City manager Enzo Maresca, who has a big void to fill after replacing coaching great Pep Guardiola.

Guardiola left at the end of last season following a trophy-laden, 10-year spell in which he established City as a force in Europe and changed the face of English soccer.

Maresca joined on a three-year deal in June, following the Italian coach's messy departure from Chelsea.

City beat Bournemouth 2-1 in its season opener on Sunday thanks to a pair of late goals.

Although Bouaddi impressed at the World Cup with his assured touch, tactical understanding, and maturity, he had already caught the eye two years ago.

At the start of his career, he was being touted as Lille’s best midfielder since Eden Hazard, who left to become a Premier League star with Chelsea.