Libya centre-back Ali Youssif has joined Al-Ittihad from French club FC Nantes, completing a move that takes the 25-year-old defender to the Libyan Premier League.
Youssif’s arrival was confirmed on 20 August 2026, with Al-Ittihad becoming his new club after his time with Nantes in Ligue 2. The transfer links the Benghazi-born defender with one of Libya’s established football institutions and brings him back to his home country’s domestic competition.
Standing at 1.88m, Youssif is a right-footed central defender whose primary role is at the heart of the back four. His physical profile provides a clear description of the position he occupies, while his nationality also makes the move significant for a club competing within the Libyan football system.
Although Nantes is recorded as his previous club for the transfer, Youssif also has a Tunisian league title among his honours. He won the Tunisian championship with Club Africain during the 2025-26 season, adding a major domestic achievement to his career before moving to Al-Ittihad.
The defender’s switch also represents a change in league environment. He moves from France’s second tier to the Libyan Premier League, where he will continue his career with Al-Ittihad. The change places him in a domestic competition in which his international background and previous experience in North African football provide relevant context.
Youssif was born in Benghazi on 9 July 2001 and is listed as a Libya international, giving Al-Ittihad a defender with a direct connection to the country and its footballing landscape. His recorded market value is €2.5m, although that figure does not represent a reported transfer fee.
The move adds a 25-year-old central defender to Al-Ittihad’s squad following Youssif’s spell in France. His career now continues in Libya after his latest club change from FC Nantes.
Ali Youssif has joined Al-Ittihad from FC Nantes and is now a player in the Libyan Premier League.
