Olivier Giroud salutes Ayyoub Bouaddi before Lille exit

Lille’s victory at Angers became an occasion for Olivier Giroud to pay tribute to Ayyoub Bouaddi, who is preparing to leave the club. The result also gave Davide Ancelotti a winning start in his first match in charge of Lille.

Lille won 2-0, but Bouaddi was not involved in the match. Giroud said the team had been determined to begin the new coaching era positively, while also dedicating part of the celebration to the young midfielder. He described Bouaddi as an outstanding player and an equally valued person, adding that his departure would be felt inside the squad.

Bouaddi is expected to complete a move to Manchester City in the coming hours for a fee of more than €100 million. The 20-year-old Moroccan midfielder has made 96 appearances for Lille and is set to continue his career in the Premier League. Before leaving for England, he took time to greet the Lille supporters, creating an emotional farewell after the win.

For Giroud, who joined Lille from LAFC, Bouaddi’s departure represents the loss of a highly regarded teammate as the club begins a new phase under Ancelotti. His message focused as much on Bouaddi’s character as on his ability, with Lille wishing him well ahead of the next step in his career.