The exciting Moroccan international has joined the Club from French side Lille, and signed a five-year contract, one that will keep him in Manchester through to the summer of 2031.
Despite still being only 18 years of age, Bouaddi arrives armed with a reputation for being one of the most exciting young midfield prospects in the world game.
One of the finest teenagers to have emerged in Ligue 1 for many years, the defensive midfield operator further amplified his glowing reputation with a series of outstanding individual displays for Morocco at the recent 2026 FIFA World Cup finals.
However, after putting pen to paper on his City contract, Bouaddi revealed how for him, the needs of the team will always be paramount above any personal plaudits.
“I would say I am a player who plays for the team,” Bouaddi declared.
“I am a really collective player.
“I try to put my teammate in the best position and to give everything every time for the team.
“I think the most important aspect is to try to balance the team, [to] help your teammates.
“We know as a No.6 that you’re not going to score 20 goals in a season; well it can happen but it’s quite rare.
“So, you know you have to balance the team and do everything for the team and do your job.”
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Despite his tender years, Bouaddi has already build up a wealth of big game experience having made his senior debut for Lille when he was still just 16 years of age.
All told he accumulated almost 100 senior appearances for the French side but said the opportunity to join one of the biggest clubs in the world had come at the perfect time in terms of his career progression.
“I think it was the right time because I was good in Lille,” the 18-year-old added.
“I felt very good, but I felt it was the right moment to step over.
“I started playing really quite young at six-years-old.
“I was in Creil, a small city in France. Then I went in Lille when I was 14 years old. I played in the Academy and then I started playing with the First Team.
“Then I started playing Champions League, Europa League, Conference League, World Cup. And today I’m here.
“I am really, really happy – really proud to be here at one of the greatest clubs in the world and I hope everything is going to be right in the future.
“Coming to City I think was the right thing to do and I am really happy and proud to be here.”
