Anderlecht have completed the signing of Morocco striker Tawfik Bentayeb from Union Touarga in a deal worth up to €4.5m, despite the 22-year-old receiving more lucrative offers elsewhere.
The Belgian club confirmed the agreement on Friday, announcing that Bentayeb had signed a long-term contract running until 2030. French outlet Maxifoot reported that the transfer fee includes performance-related bonuses.
Anderlecht welcomed the forward on their official X account with the message: “Bienvenue chez les Mauves, Tawfik Bentayeb. ★★★”
Bentayeb, who was born in Casablanca in January 2004, will begin the third European chapter of his career after two successful spells in France’s second tier. His move to Belgium follows an outstanding 2025-26 campaign with Troyes, during which he helped the club secure promotion to Ligue 1.
The striker finished as the leading scorer in Ligue 2 after registering 20 goals and three assists in 31 appearances across all competitions. Eighteen of those goals came in the league.
French reports said Bentayeb had been presented with offers worth more money before deciding to join Anderlecht. The Moroccan instead opted for the sporting project offered by the Belgian club, putting that opportunity ahead of the financial incentives available elsewhere.
His professional career began with Union Touarga in 2022. He subsequently moved to France on loan, first joining Rodez before continuing his development with Troyes.
Bentayeb’s performances at Troyes made him one of the most prominent young forwards in the Moroccan football set-up, but he was not selected in the final Morocco squad for the 2026 World Cup. He was included only in the extended list for the tournament.
The forward has made one senior international appearance for Morocco. That came in a friendly against Burundi, with the Atlas Lions winning 5-0.
His arrival represents one of Anderlecht’s most notable pieces of summer transfer business and gives the club a striker who enters Belgium after producing the best numbers of his career. The agreement is understood to be structured around an initial fee and additional bonuses, with Bentayeb committed to the club until 2030.
Anderlecht will now hope the goals that drove Troyes to promotion can translate to Belgian football as Bentayeb begins his third European experience.