Cardiff City have confirmed the signing of experienced winger Anwar El Ghazi on a one year deal.
El Ghazi spent his youth days at Sparta Rotterdam and Feyenoord, before joining Ajax in 2013. El Ghazi would continue to develop in the Ajax academy for the 13/14 season.
After a successful Pre Season, Ajax chose against the initial plan to loan out El Ghazi, and made the winger apart of the plans for the 14/15 season. This would be El Ghazi's breakout season as he became a regular at the Johan Cruyff Arena, making fourty-three appearances, netting ten goals including a goal against Barcelona at the Camp Nou.
El Ghazi continued his good form into the next season, as the winger made thirty-seven appearances, netting eleven goals. After two good seasons, Anwar El Ghazi earned his first call-up to the Dutch National Team, after being advised by Cristiano Ronaldo to choose Netherlands over Morocco.
Things wouldn't be so bright for El Ghazi in the 16/17 season, as the Dutch international made twenty appearances, netting just two goals in the first half of the season. On Deadline Day in January 2017, Lille swooped in and secured the winger's services for €8 million.
El Ghazi would make thirteen appearances over the remainder of the season, netting twice. The Dutch international was regular in the following season, but failed to reach his Ajax numbers, making thirty-one appearances, netting four times.
El Ghazi would be on the move again in summer of 2018, as he joined Aston Villa on loan. The winger became a crucial part of Dean Smith's side, helping them secure promotion back to the Premier League. El Ghazi netted six goals in thirty-six appearances, including a goal in the Play-Off final victory over Derby.
Aston Villa would make El Ghazi a permanent signing following promotion. El Ghazi would enjoy a decent opening season in the Premier League, netting six goals in all competitions in forty appearances.
The following season proved massive for El Ghazi, as the winger netted eleven goals in thirty-one appearances, equalling his career best in a season. El Ghazi would also win Aston Villa Goal of the Season.
El Ghazi failed to really get going in the 21/22 season, featuring twelve times and netting three in the first half of the season. This would see El Ghazi join Everton on loan for the remainder of the season. Unfortunately El Ghazi's move to The Toffees didn't work out, with the winger making just appearances in his time at the club.
The winger would be on the move again in the summer, returning to PSV on a permanent deal. El Ghazi enjoyed a successful first season back in the Eredivisie, netting nine goals in thirty-one outings.
However, El Ghazi saw his PSV contract mutually terminated in September 2023, after making one appearance in the 23/24 season. The winger would soon join Mainz in the Bundesliga.
El Ghazi made three appearances for the Bundesliga side before being suspended for sharing a Pro-Palestinian post on Instagram. Mainz terminated El Ghazi's contract in November 2023. A German court ruled on the 12th of July 2024 that El Ghazi was unfairly dismissed by Mainz, with the German club thought to owe El Ghazi over £1M.
El Ghazi would mutually agree to terminate his contract with Mainz in order to join Cardiff City.
A high calibre and exciting signing to say the least!
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