Moroccan international Bilal El Khannouss has joined VfB Stuttgart on loan from English second-tier side Leicester City until the end of the season, the Bundesliga club announced Monday. The 21-year-old attacking midfielder, who also holds Belgian citizenship, will wear the number 11 shirt at the MHP Arena, VfB Stuttgart's home ground. «My first impressions are really positive», El Khannouss said. «VfB are a big club that has been on a successful path in recent years. I'm looking forward to the future, and I can't wait to get started and get to know my team-mates better». „Ich kann es kaum erwarten" Bilal El Khannouss ist der siebte Neuzugang des VfB für die Saison 2025/2026. Er freut sich auf seine Teamkollegen und das Stadion, muss sich aber noch ein paar Tage darauf gedulden. Das Interview gibt's hier: https://t.co/MF4hJJehtn#VfB… pic.twitter.com/ssSum67Yug — VfB Stuttgart (@VfB) September 1, 2025 VfB sporting director Fabian Wohlgemuth welcomed the signing: «We're really pleased we've been able to complete a deal for Bilal El Khannouss. He's a young player with great potential who will strengthen us in attack, both centrally and on the wing. His dribbling, pace, and passing ability, combined with his international experience with Morocco, make him a real asset. We warmly welcome Bilal to Stuttgart». Born in Strombeek-Bever, Belgium, El Khannouss came through the youth academies of Anderlecht and Genk, making his Belgian top-flight debut at 18. He went on to play 61 league matches for Genk, recording four goals and 14 assists. He moved to Leicester in 2024, where he registered two goals and three assists in 32 Premier League appearances, along with 12 games in European competition. For Morocco, El Khannouss has made 22 senior appearances, scoring once and providing two assists. He won the U23 Africa Cup of Nations in 2023 and earned an Olympic bronze medal in Paris in 2024. Having represented both Belgium and Morocco at youth level, he ultimately pledged his future to the Atlas Lions.
