Manchester City sign teenage Moroccan star Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille

Sought-after midfielder Bouaddi joins the Premier League club from Lille in a five-year deal worth $117 million.Manchester City have signed teenage Moroccan midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille in a deal worth 100 million euros ($117 million), the French club has confirmed.Lille announced Bouaddi’s departure on a five-year deal on Wednesday, putting an end to ongoing speculation about the emerging football star’s future.Ten-time Premier League champions Manchester City were in talks to sign Bouaddi after selling Rodri to Barcelona and Tijjani Reijnders to Al-Qadsiah, with Nico Gonzalez also poised to leave the Etihad.Bouaddi was a crucial part of Morocco’s FIFA World Cup 2026 squad, showing a calm presence in the midfield as the Atlas Lions reached the quarterfinals of the tournament before falling to France.Lille extended Bouaddi’s contract last year and, with three years remaining on the deal, they were expecting suitors to meet the 100 million euros (€117m) asking price.“This is a very special day for me and my family,” Bouaddi said in a statement shared by City.“Manchester City are, for me, the best club in the world.“It’s a dream to be here and be able to call myself a City pl...