Stuttgart Seals Permanent Deal for Bilal El Khannouss from Leicester City
German club VfB Stuttgart has officially announced the permanent signing of Moroccan forward Bilal El Khannouss, activating the buy option in his loan contract from English club Leicester City. The young player has committed to a long-term deal with the Bundesliga side, following a season-long loan spell where his convincing performances established him as a key figure in the club's future plans.
El Khannouss featured in 41 matches across all competitions for the German team during the 2025/2026 season, scoring nine goals and providing seven assists. These statistics solidified his position as an effective member of the squad, prompting the sporting management to move swiftly to secure his long-term stay and convert his temporary agreement into a permanent transfer.
Fabian Wohlgemuth, Stuttgart's Sporting Director, praised the Moroccan international's performance, stating, "Bilal delivered convincing performances in all competitions for the team last season. Furthermore, as a young player, he plays a pivotal role with the Moroccan national team." Wohlgemuth added, discussing the player's abilities, that "Bilal possesses exceptional footballing qualities, and we see significant potential for further development in him. We are convinced that he has not yet reached his full potential," highlighting the club's strong belief in his talent.
This move comes after the player's call-up to represent the Moroccan national team in the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals, scheduled to be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Morocco is expected to begin its World Cup campaign against Brazil in the group stage on June 14, 2026. This contractual stability reflects the remarkable progress in the player's career, coinciding with his upcoming international commitments with the Atlas Lions.
