Ayoub Lajhar has completed his rise to the FC Cincinnati first team after several years of development in the United States, following his move from Libya via Tunisia.
The 22-year-old defender was born in Derna, Libya, and reached the next stage of his career in 2026 when he signed a first-team contract with the Major League Soccer club.
Lajhar’s father, a former Darnes player, died when his son was a baby but remains an important influence. Speaking to WCPO in September, Lajhar said he had wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps.
His family settled in Vermont in 2017, where Lajhar attended Vermont Academy before going on to study at the University of Connecticut. He initially played further forward but later moved to left-back.
FC Cincinnati selected him with the 55th pick in the 2026 MLS SuperDraft. His first appearance for the club came on 25 February 2026, when he was introduced in the 69th minute of a Concacaf Champions Cup match against O&M.
Lajhar made an immediate impact, providing assists for Alvas Powell and Stefan Chirila as Cincinnati recorded a 9–0 victory. In an interview with the club’s website after the match, he described his happiness at playing in front of his family and spoke about the continuing importance of his father’s memory.
He made his MLS debut on 25 April before agreeing a first-team contract with Cincinnati on 9 May. The deal covers the 2026 season and includes club options for 2027 and 2027-2028.
