Souffian El Karouani (; born 19 October 2000) is a professional footballer who plays as a left-back for Primeira Liga club Benfica, on loan from Saudi Pro League club Al-Qadsiah. Born in the Netherlands, he plays for the Morocco national team.
Club career
Youth career El Karouani played in the youth teams of TGG, Den Bosch, BVV, Elinkwijk and NEC.
NEC
2019–20 season In 2019, he was promoted to NEC's first team. He made his debut for the club on 9 August 2019, in the home match against FC Eindhoven which was lost 1–2. El Karouani came on as a substitute for Anthony Musaba in the 68th minute. On 2 July 2020, he signed a one-year contract with NEC which included an option on another season.
2020–21 season In the 2020–21 season, he became the starting left back in an attacking NEC led by head coach Rogier Meijer. On 3 October, El Karouani scored his first goal for the club in the home game against FC Eindhoven, which was won 6–0. On 23 May 2021, El Karouani won promotion to the Eredivisie with NEC, by beating NAC Breda 1–2 in the final of the play-offs. He provided the assist to the winning goal by Jonathan Okita, which meant that the club returned to the highest Dutch division after an absence of four year. He finished the season with 43 appearances in which he scored 3 goals, and his 8 assists were the most in the team.
Utrecht On 26 April 2023, El Karouani signed a three-year contract with Utrecht, set to commence from the 2023–24 season.
Al-Qadsiah On 4 June 2026, Saudi Pro League club Al-Qadsiah signed El Karouani on a contract running until the summer of 2029.
Loan to Benfica On 1 September 2026, Al-Qadsiah loaned El Karouani to Primeira Liga club Benfica ahead of the rest of the 2026–27 season which also includes a buy option.
International career Born in the Netherlands, El Karouani is Moroccan by descent. He debuted with the Morocco national team in a 3–0 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification win over Guinea-Bissau on 9 October 2021.
Career statistics
Club
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueKNVB CupContinentalOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsNEC2019–20Eerste Divisie2000——202020–21Eerste Divisie38320—304332021–22Eredivisie31020——3302022–23Eredivisie33231——363Total104571—301146Utrecht2023–24Eredivisie31020——3302024–25Eredivisie34220——3622025–26Eredivisie3222014111494Total97460141111186Career total20191311414123212
International
+ Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsMorocco202130202520202610Total60
Honours Individual Eredivisie Team of the Month: May 2022, November 2022, March 2025, April 2025
References
External links