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Manchester City sign 18-year-old for record fee

Manchester City buys 18-year-old midfielder for record fee

Moroccan midfielder Ayoub Bouaddi has become a Manchester City player. The club's press service reported this.

According to reports, City paid 95 million euros (plus 5 million euros in add-ons) for the transfer of the 18-year-old midfielder - a total of 100 million euros. The player has signed a 5-year contract with the club until 2031.

"Manchester City is the best club in the world for me. Being here and calling myself a City player is a huge dream. I have worked hard all my life to become the best player and reach the top. Today's achievement is the result of all this work," Bouaddi said in an interview with the club's press service.

Bouaddi's transfer set an absolute record among players under 18. The previous highest transfer fee was Manchester United. The Red Devils paid Lille €62m for Leni Yoro at the start of the 2024/25 season. Third place goes to Endrik and fourth to Chelsea's Estevao. Real Madrid also made the list, paying €45m each for 18-year-olds Franco Mastantuono, Vinicius Junior and Rodrigo.

Bouaddi made 42 appearances in all competitions last season, providing one assist. His current contract with Lille runs until the summer of 2029. According to Transfermarkt, the player has a market value of €80m.

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