Sporting CP have completed the signing of 17-year-old left-back Moncef Zekri from Belgian club Mechelen for a fee of 3 million euros, securing the defender with an 80 million euro release clause.
The Morocco youth international has agreed a contract running until 2029, with the deal set to be automatically extended until 2031 when he turns 18. Zekri arrives at the Portuguese club to fill the defensive opening created by the departure of Ricardo Mangas on the left side of defense.
Speaking to Sporting's official channels, Zekri said it was very special to join a club of such scale and history. He highlighted that five-time Ballon d'Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo and Paris Saint-Germain defender Nuno Mendes both developed in the Sporting academy. Zekri added that Mendes, who also plays as a left-back, is his biggest inspiration and praised him as the best left-back in the world.
Player attributes and Champions League ambitions
The defender stated that his primary objectives in Lisbon are to elevate his game, mature both as a player and a man, and win trophies. Describing his attributes on the pitch, Zekri explained that he is a fast and technical player who relies on his intelligence to find different solutions during matches.
Zekri also expressed his excitement about the prospect of competing in the UEFA Champions League with Sporting. He described playing in Europe's top club competition as an incredible childhood dream that is now on the verge of becoming reality.
Academy legacy and Sporting squad role
Sporting CP, based in Lisbon, have long been renowned for nurturing elite talent through their youth academy. Both Ronaldo and Mendes made their professional breakthroughs at the club before establishing themselves at the top level of European football.
Zekri is now set to integrate into the first-team squad as Sporting prepare for their upcoming domestic and European fixtures.
