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Rabat – CD Leganes revealed on Thursday that they have secured a two-season contract with Moroccan international Mounir El Haddadi.
The Spanish football club confirmed that the 28-year-old forward has agreed to join them.
El Haddadi, who has extensive experience in Spain’s top clubs, started his career with FC Barcelona in the 2014-2015 season.
During his time at Barcelona, he enjoyed considerable success, winning La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the UEFA Champions League.
“I’m very happy to join this great club. It’s where I want to be,” posted the Moroccan player on his X account.
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El Haddadi is a professional footballer who plays as a forward or right winger for Spanish club CD Leganes and the Morocco national team.
He began his career in the youth ranks of Atletico Madrid before transferring to Barcelona in 2011, where he won the 2013-2014 UEFA Youth League.
Born in Spain to Moroccan parents, the player made his full debut for the Spain national team in 2014.
In 2021, he chose to represent Morocco at the international level, being selected for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The battle to represent his heritage
In June 2017, El Haddadi and the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) reached out to FIFA to request a change in his national allegiance to Morocco. However, FIFA‘s spokesperson refuted any such contact and declared the player ineligible for the switch.
Subsequently, in April 2018, the Court of Arbitration for Sport began reviewing FIFA’s regulations on changing national allegiances, prompted by El Haddadi and the FRMF’s appeal. This appeal was ultimately denied.
Then, in October 2020, after FIFA modified its rules to allow players to change their national teams if they had made three or fewer appearances in qualifiers before turning 21, so El Haddadi made another attempt to switch from Spain to Morocco.
Despite this, FIFA rejected the switch again since he had already played for Spain’s U21 team in September 2016, after reaching 21. However, in January 2021, FIFA clarified the eligibility criteria, finally enabling the player to represent Morocco, as his single appearance for Spain occurred before he turned 21.
With over 350 official matches across ten seasons, El Haddadi has played for various clubs in Spain’s top division.
His prior teams include Valencia, Deportivo Alaves, Sevilla, Getafe, and Las Palmas.
