Sydney FC have secured the services of German attacking midfielder Anas Ouahim on a two-year contract set to run to the end of the 2025-26 Isuzu UTE A-League season.
Ouahim was born in Leverkusen but is of Moroccan descent and has represented Morocco at the U23 level.
Ouahim’s club career began in Germany with a six-year stint at two-time Bundesliga Champions 1. FC Köln. He departed Köln in 2017 and split the next five years across German clubs VfL Osnabrück, SV Sandhausen and Kaiserslautern.
Now, he’s joined Sydney FC from Moldovan side Sheriff Tiraspol, where he spent last season on loan after a two-year stint in the Netherlands with Heracles Almelo.
The 26-year-old is the first overseas import of Sydney’s off-season as head coach Ufuk Talay looks to assemble a squad capable of competing in both the Isuzu UTE A-League and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC)’s newly-established AFC Champions League Two.
The new Sky Blue is eager to become a key facet of the club’s pursuit of success in 2024-25 as he prepares for his first season Down Under.
“It’s amazing and I’ve never had this feeling before in my career even when joining clubs in Europe, I’m so happy to join Sydney FC,” Ouahim said.
“It’s a very new experience which is perhaps why it feels so special right now and I can’t wait.
“I had a very good meeting with the Head Coach, he knows my playing style and my strengths and how I can fit into the team and grow as a player and person.
“I will give everything to help the club achieve their goals and I want to be successful.
“I’m not coming for a good time, I’m coming to win trophies.
“I know the club has a big history and is famous for their very good football in Australia.
“I’m excited to meet the team and the staff and of course to play in the A-League and Champions League will be exciting.”
Ouahim is head coach Talay’s second signing of the off-season. He joins Australian goalkeeper Harrison Devenish-Meares at the club, while academy product Marin France has been promoted to the first team.
Sydney have lost a number of big-name players this off-season, including Robert Mak, Gabriel Lacerda, Fabio Gomes, Jack Rodwell, Luke Brattan and Jake Girdwood-Reich (St Louis City).
Talay says Ouahim’s attributes make him an important arrival at the club.
“Anas is a very technical player who creates goal scoring opportunities and has an eye for goal,” Talay said.
“He has great football intelligence and a great mentality off the ball. He will be a great fit for our style of football.”
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