Youssef El-Arabi officially joined FC Nantes this Friday, becoming the first offensive roach of the Canaries for the coming season. The Moroccan striker signed a current contract at least until June 2026, with a possible option until June 2027. At 38, he returned to Ligue 1, which he had left in 2011.
With a rich route, including a visit to Saudi Arabia and then five seasons at Olympiakos (225 games, 94 goals), El-Arabi returns to France with a precious experience. For José Anigo, sports director of the Greek club, his age is not a brake:
“I see that people talk about his 38th birthday, but Youssef is a hard worker, he is done, nickel and he will mark in France. It is not a question of age ”he confides to
The team.
“Maybe he's less strong”
Former Marseillais Mathieu Valbuena, who shared the locker room with him in Greece, also praises his human qualities and his driving role: “It's a golden guy, collective, who puts the mood, always smiling. »» Valbuena stresses, however, that Nantes will have to surround it to maximize its effectiveness: “You need guys who center well, because in the surface, it is never mistaken. »»
Another quality, leadership on the field is confirmed by Steeve Yago, Burkinabé defender, who faced him in the Cypriot championship. “Maybe he is less strong than before but in the surface, there is always a good finisher with his size (1.83m, 70 kg), his sense of goal. Whether it's his calls, his sense of placement … he has physical impact. It was a real leader ”he confirms.
This signature is part of a dynamic similar to that observed with Dante, for example. The defender of the OGC Nice, extended his contract until June 2026 at 41, demonstrating that age is no longer a brake on performance at the highest level.
