Ilyes Ziani

Ilyes Ziani
Personal information
Date of birth (2003-06-20) 20 June 2003 (age 21)
Place of birth Brussels, Belgium[1]
Height 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
 RWD Molenbeek
Youth career
Union SG
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2021–2023 Union SG 6 (0)
2022–2023 → SL 16 FC (loan) 27 (6)
2023–2024 SL 16 FC 26 (1)
2024 Standard Liège 0 (0)
2024– RWD Molenbeek 0 (0)
International career‡
2022 Morocco U20 3 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 28 July 2024
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 18:55, 6 June 2023 (UTC)

Ilyes Ziani (born 20 June 2003) is a professional footballer who plays for Challenger Pro League club RWD Molenbeek . Born in Belgium, he is a youth international for Morocco.

Club career

Coming through the youth ranks of the Royale Union Saint-Gilloise, of which he captained the under-21 side, Ilyes Ziani signed his first professional contract with the club from the Belgian capital on in August 2021.[2][3][4]

Ziani made his professional debut for Union SG on the 15 December 2021, replacing Dante Vanzeir during a 2–0 away Division 1A win against Zulte Waregem.[5][4][6] The newly promoted team from Saint-Gilles was then enjoying a remarkable spell back in the First Division after 48 years, with Union sitting well on top of the league after the first half of the season.[6][7]

On 31 May 2023, Ziani signed a two-year contract with Standard Liège after playing for their second team SL16 FC on loan in the previous season.[8]

On 13 August 2024, Ziani moved to RWD Molenbeek on a two-year deal.[9]

International career

Born in Belgium, Ziani is of Moroccan descent. He was called up to the Morocco U20s for a set of friendlies in September 2022.[10]

References

  1. ^ "Ilyes ZIANI reste Rouche". Drupal. Retrieved 6 June 2023.
  2. ^ "Deux jeunes U21 signent leur premier contrat professionnel à l'Union Saint-Gilloise". La Dernière Heure (in French). 24 August 2021. Retrieved 18 December 2021.
  3. ^ "Deux jeunes de l'Union signent leur premier contrat professionnel". La Capitale (in French). Sudpresse [fr]. 24 August 2021. Retrieved 18 December 2021.
  4. ^ a b "Jonge middenvelder debuteert bij Union Saint-Gilloise". Voetbalbelgie (in Flemish). 16 December 2021. Retrieved 18 December 2021.
  5. ^ Malice, Florent (15 December 2021). "L'Union confirme qu'elle a retrouvé la forme, Zulte s'enfonce dans la crise". Walfoot.be (in French). Retrieved 18 December 2021.
  6. ^ a b Deby, Raphaël (15 December 2021). "Sans forcer, l'Union enchaîne à Zulte et creuse l'écart en tête". RTBF (in French). Retrieved 18 December 2021.
  7. ^ Coldefy, Quentin (3 December 2021). "L'Union Saint-Gilloise, étonnant leader de Première division belge, fait sensation". L'Équipe (in French). Retrieved 18 December 2021.
  8. ^ "ILYES ZIANI BLIJFT ROUCHE" [ILYES ZIANI REMAINS ROUCHE] (in Dutch). Standard Liège. 31 May 2023. Retrieved 8 September 2023.
  9. ^ "Noah Dodeigne et Ilyes Ziani rejoignent le RWDM !" [Noah Dodeigne and Ilyes Ziani join RWDM!] (in French). RWD Molenbeek. 13 August 2024. Retrieved 13 August 2024.
  10. ^ "Plusieurs binationaux appelés chez les U20 du Maroc, dont des jeunes du Standard - Tout le foot". Walfoot.be (in French). 18 September 2022. Retrieved 6 June 2023.