Leicester City Football Club has finalized a 25 million euro transfer deal for Moroccan attacking midfielder Bilal El Khannouss from Belgian club Genk, pending Premier League and international clearance.
The 20-year-old player has signed a four-year deal with the Foxes and will hold the number 11 shirt.
El Khannouss arrives at the King Power Stadium following a standout performance in the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris, where he helped the Moroccan national team to secure a bronze medal.
His transfer to Leicester City adds a promising young talent to the squad ahead of their upcoming match against Aston Villa this Saturday.
Expressing his enthusiasm about the move, El Khannouss told LCFC.com, “I’m very happy. Leicester City is a big club in England, and it’s always a dream for a young player like me to play in the Premier League. I’m very excited and I hope to achieve big things here.”
El Khannouss, born in Belgium, began his football career with Anderlecht before transferring to Genk in 2019. He made his professional debut for Genk in May 2022 against Mechelen and has since impressed in the Jupiler Pro League, appearing 51 times last season. His performances earned him a spot in Morocco’s national team for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, where he made his international debut during the third-place play-off against Croatia.
In addition to his World Cup experience, El Khannouss has represented Morocco in 14 senior matches and played a crucial role in winning the Under-23 Africa Cup of Nations title last year. His contribution was pivotal in Morocco’s recent Olympic campaign, where he scored a goal in a 6-0 victory over Egypt in the Bronze Medal match.
The addition of El Khannouss is expected to bolster Leicester City’s midfield and provide a significant boost as they prepare for their forthcoming Premier League fixtures.