Ahead of the upcoming season of the Indian Super League (ISL 2024-25), NorthEast United FC announced the arrival of forward Alaeddine Ajaraie from Moroccan top-tier side FAR Rabat, with an option to extend the contract for another year.
“I already knew the head coach, Juan Pedro Benali. I shared the pitch with Hamza Regragui in RS Berkane, and Mohammed Ali Bemammer was my teammate at the national level. They spoke highly about the club, and that’s why I decided to join the club,” Alaeddine said.
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“Having experienced football in Morocco and Qatar, I was eager for a new challenge. So after deliberation with my family, I decided to take this opportunity. I am looking forward to getting going and helping the club win trophies,” he added.
“Alaeddine is a seasoned and versatile striker, capable of playing across the front line. His tenacious spirit and ability to disrupt opposition backlines make him a formidable force. I’ve been following his career for six years and am thrilled to welcome him to the team,” NorthEast United FC head coach Juan Pedro Benali said.
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“Alaeddine is a top-quality player who we’ve been following since he helped Muaither SC earn promotion in 2023. We attempted to sign him then, but he opted for FAR Rabat. We’re delighted to finally have him here,” Mandar Tamhane, CEO, of NorthEast United FC, said.
Ajaraie, 31, becomes the Highlanders’ sixth and last foreign signing. The five other foreigners in the club are Michel Zabaco, Guillermo Fernández, Néstor Albiach, Hamza Regragui, and Mohammed Ali Bemammer.
Alaeddine Ajaraie Career
Ajaraie won the CAF Confederation Cup in 2020, where NorthEast United FC’s Regragui was his teammate. After winning the CAF Confederation Cup, Ajaraie moved to Maghreb Association Sportive de Fès (MAS Fes), Morocco’s oldest sports club, before joining Muaither SC.
Ajaraie, who can play across the front line, has a prolific record: 143 goals in 211 appearances across various competitions in various countries. He was the top scorer for Muaither SC (11 goals in 13 appearances) in Qatar’s second division and helped his side to promotion to the Qatar Stars League. After helping Muaither to a promotion, he moved to AS FAR Rabat, a team in Morocco’s top tier.
