Alavés Signs Real Madrid Defender Lakhdim
Deportivo Alavés, a Spanish first division football club, announced on Wednesday the signing of Moroccan defender Youssef Lakhdim from Real Madrid on a contract until June 2029.
Alavés explained in a statement on its website that Youssef Lakhdim, a left-back, possesses a strong physique, character, and tremendous potential.
Lakhdim was born in Madrid on October 7, 2005, and joined the Real Madrid youth academy as a youngster. He played for all the club's youth teams until he established himself as a key player for Castilla (Real Madrid's reserve team) last season.
The club added that Lakhdim was one of the stars of the Castilla team, coached by former Spanish international Álvaro Arbeloa.
Lakhdim played for Morocco's under-20 national team and was called up to the senior team at the age of 18, before playing for Real Madrid's reserve team. He was also part of Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso's squad for the Club World Cup in the United States. Khadim now joins Alaves, making his first appearance in the first division before turning 20.