Melbourne City FC is pleased to announce the signing of Moroccan attacking midfielder, Hamza Sakhi, from French club AJ Auxerre on a one-year loan with an option to buy.
The addition of Sakhi bolsters Head Coach Rado Vidosic’s squad ahead of the 2023/24 A-League Men’s season, providing yet another goal scoring threat to an already potent attack.
He joined AJ Auxerre during the 2017/18 season before making 181 appearances, netting 20 goals and registering 25 assists.
Sakhi has represented his country at youth level, scoring four goals in nine appearances for Morocco’s U17s.
The City-bound Moroccan scored a crucial goal in the second leg of the Ligue 2 promotion play-off against Saint-Étienne in 2021/22, a match that saw AJ Auxerre promoted after penalties.
In the 2022/23 season, the attacking midfielder made 27 appearances in Ligue 1, and a further three appearances in the Coupe de France, scoring one goal and assisting a further two.
Sakhi has spent the past 10 years plying his trade in France, where he has represented LB Châteauroux, FC Metz, SAS Epinal, AJ Auxerre and FC Sochaux-Montbéliard.
With an abundance of experience in European football, Sakhi’s creativity and ability to find the back of the net adds another element to City’s midfield.
Melbourne City FC Director of Football, Michael Petrillo, said:
“To sign someone of Hamza’s quality gives us another wonderful attacking option, adding depth and flexibility to an exciting squad. It is rare to be able to lure a player at 27 years of age, with over a decade of experience in Europe, and straight off a season of 30 games in Ligue 1. He brings great experience and adds variety and flair to an already strong midfield unit.
“Hamza is a technically gifted footballer and knows how to find the back of the net and provide assists. A welcome addition to the club, he’s a footballer that will suit the City style of play and a player that City fans can look forward to watching.”
Hamza Sakhi said:
“I’m so excited to begin this new chapter in my career with Melbourne City. The challenge of joining a new league in a new country is something that I’m really looking forward to.
“I want to help this team build on their incredible success over the past few seasons and I can’t wait to meet and play in front of the City fans.”
2023/24 Memberships On Sale
Memberships for the 2023/24 A-Leagues season are now on sale, and with more football than ever before, there’s plenty to get excited about.
- Our first Asian Champions League campaign played on home soil
- Two massive home Melbourne Derbies
- The chance to claim an unprecedented fourth A-League Men’s Premiers Plate
- An extended A-League Women’s season
- Plus, loads more
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