Man City sign €95m wonderkid who becomes most expensive 18-year-old ever

Feature

Robin Bairner | Chief Editor

Manchester City have made Ayyoub Bouaddi the fourth most expensive teenager in football history following his move from Lille to the Etihad club.

City announced on Wednesday that they have completed a deal to sign Bouaddi from the Ligue 1 outfit, with an initial €95 million going to the Ligue 1 side, who also have the potential to earn a further €5m in bonus payments.

In leaving France for City, the Morocco international midfielder has become the biggest export from the country, eclipsing Neymar’s €90m switch to Al-Hilal from PSG in 2023 and Aurelien Tchouameni’s €80m move to Real Madrid from Monaco a year earlier.

Current ETV

Ayyoub Bouaddi

M, DM (C)

Lille

Ayyoub Bouaddi

M, DM (C)

Lille

€43.5M

ETV Range

€39.2M - €47.9M

View full profile

“We discussed a lot of things and the future also because this is why I’m here – for the future,” Bouaddi explained to Man City’s official website.

“We know that in the great club we need to win. We are going to see what’s going to happen. What’s important is that I’m going to give 100%, be always here for the team and then it’s the future.

“Every player dreams to play in the Premier League and I hope I am going to play in the Premier League very soon, as soon as possible.”

Bouaddi the most expensive 18-year-old ever

Bouaddi has also become the fourth most expensive teenager in history – as well as the most expensive 18-year-old ever.

He trails Kylian Mbappe, who was 19 when he completed a €180m move to PSG from Monaco, though he had already spent a season in Paris by the time that deal was made official. That is the second most expensive deal in history.

Joao Felix ranks second when it comes to the teenage transfer record. His 2019 move to Atletico Madrid was a consequence of a domino effect started by PSG’s purchase of Neymar. Seeking to fill the Brazilian’s void, Barcelona signed Antoine Griezmann from Atleti, who in turn snapped up the Portuguese. None of these deals, though, really worked out how the clubs would have wished.

Finally, Real Madrid set a new mark earlier this summer when they signed Yan Diomande in a €125m swoop from RB Leipzig following protracted negotiations. The Ivory Coast winger first appeared destined for Liverpool or PSG, yet both clubs were put off by the 19-year-old’s price tag and ultimately decided against a deal.

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