Young Moroccan goalkeeper Adam El Maach has signed his first professional contract with Helmond Sport, which competes in the Dutch second division, the club announced.
El Maach, 17, is currently in his fourth season with the club and has now become part of the first team under head coach Frédéric Frans, the club said in a statement, noting that the signing rewards the goalkeeper’s “steady progress” within the club’s academy and his “hard work”.
The “talented” young goalkeeper joined Helmond’s academy in 2023 and has continued to develop over the past few years before making his first appearances for the senior team. At just 17, he has become Helmond’s second-choice goalkeeper, the statement said, adding that El Maach also had the opportunity to showcase his abilities in a friendly against Willem II in September, where he demonstrated his potential with “several crucial saves”.
“We are delighted to see another young player make the step up to our first team (…) Adam has earned this place through his own efforts and is already our second-choice goalkeeper at just 17. This is a great reward for his progress and hard work,” said the club’s technical director, Dirk Jan Derksen.
For his part, the young Moroccan international said he was “proud and happy” to reach this milestone at the club where he developed as a player.
“Through hard work and the unwavering support of those around me, I have been able to reach this special moment (…) This is an important step, but it is only the beginning of what I hope to achieve here,” he said.
Earlier this year, El Maach represented Morocco at the U-17 Africa Cup of Nations, giving him the opportunity to “showcase his qualities on the international stage”, the statement noted.
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