Man City sign Lille’s Bouaddi for 100 mn euros

LONDON: Manchester City have signed teenage Morocco midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille in a five-year deal the French club said Wednesday was worth 100 million euros (£86 million, $117 million).
City moved for Bouaddi after selling Spain’s World Cup winning captain Rodri to Barcelona and Tijjani Reijnders to Al-Qadsiah, with Nico Gonzalez also poised to leave the Etihad.
The 18-year-old rising star was one of the stand-out players at the recent World Cup, helping Morocco reach the quarter-finals before they were beaten by France.
Bouaddi will join England’s Elliot Anderson in City’s revamped midfield.
“This is a very special day for me and my family,” Bouaddi said in a statement on the City website.
“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 player. I have spent most of my life working hard to become the best player I can be and reach the top of the game.
“I’ve watched City for many years, and I love their style of play.
“City always try and play quality football.