Stuttgart activates the purchase of the contract for the player.

The German club Stuttgart announced today, Monday, the conversion of the loan of Moroccan international Bilal El Khannous to a permanent transfer, after activating the previously agreed purchase option with English club Leicester City, allowing the player to continue his journey in the Bundesliga with a long-term contract with the German team.

The club clarified, through an official statement published on its website, that El Khannous had a successful first season wearing Stuttgart's jersey, having participated in 41 matches across various competitions, during which he managed to score 9 goals and provide 7 assists, making him one of the standout attacking players in the squad.

The same statement confirmed that the levels displayed by the Moroccan player contributed to strengthening his position within the Moroccan national team, which is preparing to compete in the 2026 World Cup in Canada, the United States, and Mexico, where the "Atlas Lions" will kick off the group stage with a match against the Brazilian national team on June 14.

Fabian Vogt, a member of Stuttgart's board for sports affairs, stated that El Khannous demonstrated great quality in all competitions during the past season, noting that despite his young age, he has become one of the key players for the Moroccan national team, thanks to his technical abilities and capacity to make a difference in midfield.

The same official added that the German club is convinced that the Moroccan player still has greater potential for development, considering that current indicators confirm he has not yet reached his full capabilities, which prompted Stuttgart's management to decide on his permanent continuation.

Stuttgart recalled the Moroccan player's achievement of winning the Africa Cup in 2026 with the "Atlas Lions," in addition to his contribution to the Moroccan Olympic team's victory in the Africa Cup for under-23 years in 2023, along with winning the bronze medal at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

The Moroccan player has played 60 matches in the Belgian league with Genk, during which he scored 4 goals and provided 14 assists, before moving to Leicester City in the summer of 2024, where he participated in 32 matches in the Premier League, scoring 2 goals and providing 3 assists.