Youssef Aït Bennasser joins the Girondins !

The Girondins de Bordeaux are delighted to officially announce the signing of Youssef Aït Bennasser. The midfielder joins us on loan from AS Monaco with an option to buy. Born on 7th July 1996 in Toul, Meurthe-et-Moselle, Youssef started out with his local club AS Nancy Lorraine. His professional career began in 2015-2016 with a very successful first season for Nancy. The young Youssef made a total of 34 appearances in all competitions, and Nancy finished the season as Ligue 2 champions. His performances drew the eye of AS Monaco, and Youssef soon put pen to paper in Monte Carlo. He was immediately loaned back to Nancy, making his top-flight debut with his boyhood club and playing a total of 27 matches that season (3 goals). In 2017-2018 he went out on loan again, this time to Caen. Once again Youssef rapidly became a key part of the team and played 29 games in all competitions. He then returned to AS Monaco and began to work his way into the team in the first half of the 2018-2019 season, getting his first taste of the UEFA Champions League. Monaco endured another management shake-up in mid-season, and Youssef found himself sent back out on loan: this time it was to Saint-Etienne, an opportunity for him to show what he could do with a strong team around him. Youssef helped Les Verts to an impressive 4th-place finish. In parallel to his blossoming club career, Youssef has become an experienced international with Morocco. Since making his debut in 2016 he has already featured in three major competitions with the Atlas Lions: the African Cup of Nations in 2017 and 2019 and the World Cup in 2018. He currently has 22 full caps. Youssef is a technically-gifted midfield playmaker with extraordinary passing precion. He is as energetic in defense as he is creative in attack, and at 23 years of age combines ample experience with clear potential for further improvement.   The club is thrilled to welcome Youssef to Bordeaux, and we wish him every success in the navy blue and white.