Deportivo Alavés has announced the signing of 19-year-old Moroccan defender Youssef Enríquez Lekhedim on a contract running until June 2029. The club described him as «a left-back with attacking ability, physical strength, and character», highlighting his promising future. Born on October 7, 2005, in Madrid, Lekhedim joined Real Madrid's academy at a young age and progressed through all youth categories before becoming a key player for Castilla last season. According to a statement from Alavés, «the player made 35 appearances for Real Madrid's reserve team, logging over 2,700 minutes, scoring one goal and providing four assists. He was also called up to the first team under Carlo Ancelotti for both La Liga and the UEFA Champions League». Lekhedim was one of the standout players on the youth team coached by Alvaro Arbeloa, which won both the Copa del Rey Juvenil and the UEFA Youth League. An international with Morocco's U20 side, he received a call-up to the senior national team at just 18, before even making his debut with Real Madrid's reserves. Notably, he also featured this summer in the FIFA Club World Cup with Real Madrid, helping the team reach the semi-final stage.
