Wikipedia

Nayef Aguerd

Nayef Aguerd (Arabic: نايف أكرد; Berber languages: ⵏⴰⵢⴼ ⴰⴳⵕⴹ; born 30 March 1996) is a Moroccan professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for La Liga club Real Sociedad, on loan from Premier League club West Ham United, and the Morocco national team.

Nayef Aguerd
نايف أكرد
ⵏⴰⵢⴼ ⴰⴳⵕⴹ
Aguerd with West Ham United in 2023
Personal information
Full name Nayef Aguerd[1]
Date of birth (1996-03-30) 30 March 1996 (age 28)[2]
Place of birth Kenitra, Morocco
Height 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in)[3]
Position(s) Centre-back
Team information
Current team
 Real Sociedad
(on loan from West Ham United)
Number 21
Youth career
2011–2012 Kenitra Athletic Club
2012–2014 Mohammed VI Academy
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2014–2018 FUS Rabat 80 (5)
2018–2020 Dijon 25 (4)
2020–2022 Rennes 66 (5)
2022– West Ham United 39 (3)
2024– → Real Sociedad (loan) 8 (0)
International career‡
2015 Morocco U23 4 (0)
2016– Morocco 53 (1)
Medal record
Representing  Morocco
African Nations Championship
Winner 2018
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 22:26, 10 November 2024 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 23:23, 18 November 2024 (UTC)

He began his professional career playing for Botola side FUS Rabat, before leaving to France and playing for Dijon and Rennes. He was chosen in Morocco's squads for the African Nations Championship in 2018, the Africa Cup of Nations in 2021 and 2023, and the FIFA World Cup in 2022.

Early life

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Nayef Aguerd was born and raised in the city of Kenitra in north western Morocco.[4]

Aguerd began his footballing career with the Mohammed VI Football Academy, before moving to FUS Rabat in 2014.[5] The player then played a season with the club amateurs before signing his first professional contract with FUS Rabat in Botola in 2014.

Club career

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Early career

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During his first season with FUS Rabat, he was the runner-up of the 2015 Throne cup after losing the final against Olympique Club de Khouribga. On 15 February 2015, he scored his first goal for the team in a 3–1 victory against Wydad AC.[6][7] On 3 March, he scored his first continental goal in a 1–1 draw against UMS de Loum.[8]

Dijon

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After four seasons, he joined Dijon in Ligue 1.[9] He made his professional debut with Dijon in a 4–0 win over Nice on 25 August 2018, scoring the first goal for his side on his debut.[10]

Rennes

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On 14 August 2020, Aguerd signed a contract with Ligue 1 team Rennes from Dijon for an undisclosed fee believed to be between €4m and €5m.[11] He scored his first goal for the club in a friendly against Nice; the game ended in a 3–2 loss.[12] On 13 September 2020, Aguerd scored his first league goal in a 4–2 victory against Nîmes.[13]

On 17 May 2021, He was placed 11th place in the Prix Marc-Vivien Foé as the best player who represents an African national football team in Ligue 1.[14] On 19 August 2021, Aguerd scored a header, which marked his first European goal, in a 2–0 victory against Rosenborg.[15] A week later, Aguerd scored again in the second leg against Rosenborg in the 2021–22 UEFA Europa Conference League play-off round.[16] On 16 May 2022, Aguerd was placed 3rd as the best African player in Ligue 1 for the Prix Marc-Vivien Foé.[17]

 
Aguerd with West Ham in 2023.

West Ham United

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In June 2022, Aguerd signed for West Ham United on a five-year contract for a fee of £30 million. His fee was the fourth-highest paid by West Ham after those paid for Sébastien Haller, Felipe Anderson and Kurt Zouma.[18] On July 16, Aguerd made his debut for the Hammers in a friendly against Reading, playing a total of 63 minutes of a 1–1 draw at the Madejski Stadium.[19][20] In his second game, a pre-season friendly against Rangers on 19 July, Aguerd injured his ankle which required surgery.[21][22] On 19 October, Aguerd returned to training with the team three months after his injury.[23][24] He made his competitive West Ham United debut on 27 October in a Europa Conference League game against Silkeborg, which West Ham won 1–0.[25] On 2 April, Aguerd scored his first Premier League goal in the home encounter against Southampton, which ended in a 1–0 victory.[26][27] On 7 June, Aguerd won his first major trophy for the club the 2022–23 UEFA Europa Conference League against Fiorentina, which ended in a 2–1 victory.[28][29]

Loan to Real Sociedad

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On 30 August 2024, Aguerd was loaned to La Liga club Real Sociedad for the 2024–25 season.[30]

International career

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Aguerd with Morocco in 2023

Aguerd made his debut for the Morocco national team in a friendly 0–0 tie with Albania on 31 August 2016.[31] Aguerd represented Morocco in the 2018 African Nations Championship, helping his country to achieve their first CHAN title.[32] On 6 September 2021, Aguerd scored his first goal against Sudan in the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification, he sent a sharp shot in the net from a cross.[33]

He was later invited by Vahid Halilhodžić to represent Morocco in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.[34] Nayef started all of the matches in the group stages[35][36] and scored an own-goal in a 2–2 draw against Gabon.[37]

On 10 November 2022, he was named in Morocco's 26-man squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.[38][39] Aguerd played all three group games and the Round of 16 match against Spain alongside Romain Saïss and Morocco conceded only once in those four matches, through an own goal by Aguerd. However, he missed both the quarter-final victory over Portugal through injury and then the decisive game against France due to illness – he was withdrawn minutes before kick-off in the semi-final, despite having been listed in the official starting line-ups.[40][41]

On 28 December 2023, Aguerd was amongst the 27 players selected by coach Walid Regragui to represent Morocco in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.[42][43]

Personal life

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On 9 September 2023, Aguerd along with his national teammates donated some of their blood for the needy affected by the 2023 Marrakesh-Safi earthquake.[44]

Career statistics

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Club

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As of match played 10 November 2024
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup[a] League cup[b] Continental Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
FUS Rabat 2014–15 Botola Pro 12 1 4 0 — — 16 1
2015–16 Botola Pro 21 2 4 1 — — 25 3
2016–17 Botola Pro 24 2 1 0 — 13 1 38 3
2017–18 Botola Pro 23 0 0 0 — 4 0 27 0
Total 80 5 9 1 0 0 17 1 106 7
Dijon 2018–19 Ligue 1 13 3 3 0 1 0 — 17 3
2019–20 Ligue 1 12 1 0 0 — — 12 1
Total 25 4 3 0 1 0 0 0 29 4
Rennes 2020–21 Ligue 1 35 3 1 0 — 4[c] 0 40 3
2021–22 Ligue 1 31 2 0 0 — 9[d] 2 40 4
Total 66 5 1 0 0 0 13 2 80 7
West Ham United 2022–23 Premier League 18 2 3 0 1 0 8[d] 0 30 2
2023–24 Premier League 21 1 0 0 1 0 6[e] 1 28 2
Total 39 3 3 0 2 0 14 1 58 4
Real Sociedad (loan) 2024–25 La Liga 8 0 0 0 — 3[e] 0 11 0
Career total 218 17 16 1 3 0 47 4 284 22
  1. ^ Includes Moroccan Throne Cup, Coupe de France, FA Cup
  2. ^ Includes Coupe de la Ligue, EFL Cup
  3. ^ Appearances in UEFA Champions League
  4. ^ a b Appearances in UEFA Europa Conference League
  5. ^ a b Appearances in UEFA Europa League

International

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As of match played 18 November 2024[45]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
Morocco 2016 1 0
2018 6 0
2020 1 0
2021 8 1
2022 14 0
2023 8 0
2024 15 0
Total 53 1
Scores and results list Morocco's goal tally first.
List of international goals scored by Nayef Aguerd
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1 6 September 2021 Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat, Morocco   Sudan 1–0 2–0 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification

Honours

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FUS Rabat

West Ham United

Morocco

Individual

Orders

References

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  1. ^ "2022/23 Premier League squad lists". Premier League. 14 September 2022. Retrieved 15 September 2022.
  2. ^ "Nayef Aguerd: Overview". Premier League. Retrieved 10 November 2022.
  3. ^ "Nayef Aguerd". West Ham United F.C. Retrieved 10 November 2022.
  4. ^ "Eight things you need to know about Nayef Aguerd | West Ham United F.C." www.whufc.com. Retrieved 2 April 2023.
  5. ^ "Made in Morocco, Flourishing in France; Is London Calling For Nayef Aguerd?". Retrieved 18 June 2022.
  6. ^ "Goalzz.com: live sports scores and news". www.goalzz.com. Retrieved 6 March 2022.
  7. ^ "Nayef Aguerd: Who is the Morocco international signed by West Ham United? | Goal.com English Bahrain". www.goal.com. Retrieved 2 April 2023.
  8. ^ "UMS de Loum 1-1 FUS Rabat :: Taça da Confederação CAF 2016 :: Détails du jeu :: leballonrond.fr". www.leballonrond.fr (in French). Retrieved 6 March 2022.
  9. ^ "Nayef Aguerd première recrue du DFCO !". www.dfco.fr.
  10. ^ "LFP.fr – Ligue de Football Professionnel – Ligue 1 Conforama – Saison 2018/2019 – 3ème journée – OGC Nice / Dijon FCO". www.lfp.fr.
  11. ^ "Official | Rennes sign central defender Nayef Aguerd | Get French Football News". www.getfootballnewsfrance.com. 14 August 2020. Retrieved 1 January 2022.
  12. ^ "A win to end preseason". OGC Nice (in French). Retrieved 6 March 2022.
  13. ^ "Ligue 1: Guirassy Scores Twice as Rennes Beats Nimes 4-2; Marseille Down PSG 1-0". News18. 14 September 2020. Retrieved 6 March 2022.
  14. ^ "Prix Marc-Vivien Foé: Gaël Kakuta, premier Lensois et Congolais sacré". RFI (in French). 17 May 2021. Retrieved 17 October 2022.
  15. ^ "Rennes v Rosenborg Live Commentary & Result, 19/08/21, UEFA Europa Conference League | Goal.com". www.goal.com. Retrieved 6 March 2022.
  16. ^ "Rosenborg vs. Stade Rennais - Football Match Summary - August 26, 2021 - ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved 6 March 2022.
  17. ^ "Prix Marc-Vivien Foé: l'Ivoirien Seko Fofana succède à Gaël Kakuta". RFI (in French). 16 May 2022. Retrieved 17 October 2022.
  18. ^ "West Ham complete £30m Aguerd signing from Rennes". BBC Sport. 20 June 2022. Retrieved 20 June 2022.
  19. ^ "Highlights: Reading 1-1 West Ham United". West Ham United F.C. 17 July 2022. Retrieved 17 July 2022.
  20. ^ "David Moyes delivers Nayef Aguerd verdict after West Ham draw with Reading". Hammers News. 16 July 2022. Retrieved 17 July 2022.
  21. ^ "West Ham signing Aguerd has ankle surgery". BBC Sport. 25 July 2022. Retrieved 25 July 2022.
  22. ^ Gorrie, Jonathan (21 October 2022). "West Ham handed boost as Nayef Aguerd appears to step up return from injury". Evening Standard. Retrieved 25 October 2022.
  23. ^ "Morocco's Aguerd edging closer to West Ham return". BBC Sport. 19 October 2022. Retrieved 25 October 2022.
  24. ^ "Morocco's Aguerd could play for West Ham before World Cup, says Moyes". Gulf News. 19 October 2022. Retrieved 25 October 2022.
  25. ^ "West Ham reach last 16 after win over Silkeborg". BBC Sport. 27 October 2022. Retrieved 28 October 2022.
  26. ^ "المغربي أكرد يهدي وست هام فوزاً مصيرياً". Hespress - هسبريس جريدة إلكترونية مغربية (in Arabic). 2 April 2023. Retrieved 2 April 2023.
  27. ^ Steinberg, Jacob (2 April 2023). "Nayef Aguerd gives West Ham vital win over Southampton to lift survival fight". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2 April 2023.
  28. ^ "West Ham lift first major trophy in more than 40 years after beating Fiorentina in Europa Conference League final". Sky News. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
  29. ^ "West Ham win dramatic Europa Conference League final". BBC Sport. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
  30. ^ "Nayef Aguerd heads to Real Sociedad on loan". West Ham United Football Club. 30 August 2024. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  31. ^ Bakkali, Achraf. "Rapport de match: Albanie 0–0 Maroc". Mountakhab.net.
  32. ^ "Hosts Morocco crowned CHAN champions". BBC Sport.
  33. ^ "الشوط الأول من مباراة المنتخب ضد السودان.. استحواذ كلي للأسود ونايف أكرد يسجل هدف التقدم للفريق الوطني". www.elbotola.com (in Arabic). Retrieved 6 March 2022.
  34. ^ "Vahid Halilhodzic reveals final list of players for CAN 2022". HESPRESS English - Morocco’s leading digital media. 23 December 2021. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
  35. ^ "Africa Cup of Nations (Sky Sports)". Sky Sports. Retrieved 28 January 2022.
  36. ^ "Africa Cup of Nations (Sky Sports)". Sky Sports. Retrieved 28 January 2022.
  37. ^ "Gabon v Morocco Match Report, 18/01/2022, Africa Cup of Nations | Goal.com". www.goal.com. Retrieved 28 January 2022.
  38. ^ "Morocco World Cup 2022 squad: Who's in and who's out? | Goal.com". www.goal.com. Retrieved 10 November 2022.
  39. ^ "Moroccan coach unveils list of 26 Atlas Lions in 2022 World Cup". HESPRESS English - Morocco News. 10 November 2022. Retrieved 10 November 2022.
  40. ^ Simmonds, Kadeem (15 December 2022). "Walid Regragui says Nayef Aguerd missed Morocco's semi-final loss due to the flu". Football.London. Retrieved 24 December 2022.
  41. ^ Winehouse, Amitai. "Morocco's Aguerd pulls out of semi-final before kick-off". The Athletic. Retrieved 24 December 2022.
  42. ^ "Regragui unveils 27 player list for Morocco's participation in CAN 2023". HESPRESS English - Morocco News. 28 December 2023. Retrieved 29 December 2023.
  43. ^ "Regragui names 27 provisional players for AFCON". CAF. 28 December 2023. Retrieved 29 December 2023.
  44. ^ Patrick, Holly (11 September 2023). "Moroccan national footballers donate blood to help earthquake victims". Independent TV. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
  45. ^ "Nayef Aguerd". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmermann. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
  46. ^ "Maroc: Le FUS de Rabat champion pour la première fois". 5 June 2016.
  47. ^ "Coupe du Trone 2014 - Football, Maroc - Résultats, Classements - Soccerstand.com". www.soccerstand.com. Retrieved 19 August 2023.
  48. ^ "Morocco 2014/15". RSSSF. Retrieved 25 October 2022.
  49. ^ Stone, Simon (7 June 2023). "Fiorentina 1–2 West Ham United: Jarrod Bowen goal decides Europa Conference League final". BBC Sport. Retrieved 7 June 2023.
  50. ^ "Morocco 4–0 Nigeria / CHAN 2018". www.footballdatabase.eu.
  51. ^ "CAF MEN TEAM 2020 by IFFHS". iffhs.de. 13 December 2020. Retrieved 13 December 2020.
  52. ^ UEFA.com (8 June 2023). "2022/23 Europa Conference League Team of the Season | UEFA Europa Conference League". UEFA.com. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
  53. ^ "Les dix types de wissams royaux accordés par Mohammed VI". Archived from the original on 15 June 2007.
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