Ayman Azhil: Who is Borussia Dortmund's young Moroccan maestro?

Ayman Azhil has been impressing for Niko Kovač's Borussia Dortmund in pre-season. Learn all about BVB's young Moroccan maestro...

Data correct as of 5 August 2025

Ayman Azhil

Age: 24 (born 10 April 2001)
Club: Borussia Dortmund
Position: Midfielder
Country: Morocco (uncapped)

Key stats

After travelling as part of the Black and Yellows' contingent to the FIFA Club World Cup 2025, Azhil came off the bench in the club's pre-season friendlies against Siegen and Lille, going on to score the eighth goal in an 8-1 rout of the former.

The diminutive midfielder, standing at 5'7", made his first Bundesliga appearance for Dortmund last season against RB Leipzig, also going on to make his UEFA Champions League debut in the same campaign against Austrian side Sturm Graz.

Recent progress feels like the culmination of a long journey for Azhil, who made the switch to the Signal Iduna Park from Bayer Leverkusen in 2023, joining on a free transfer.

Joining the Werkself's academy at the age of seven years old, Azhil was on Leverkusen's books for nearly 15 years, progressing and excelling with their youth teams in that period.

During that time, Azhil spent two years on loan at Eredivisie outfit RKC Waalwijk, making 50 appearances in the Dutch top-flight before returning to the BayArena and making his first-ever appearance in the Bundesliga under Xabi Alonso in the 2022/23 season.

About the players

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Ayman

Azhil

Borussia Dortmund

In the same season, he was named amongst the substitutes across multiple matches during Leverkusen's run in the Champions League as well as the Europa League.

Initially joining Dortmund's reserve team in 2023, he made his debut against Preußen Münster and went on to become a mainstay in the side, scoring five times and assisting thrice in 28 appearances in the 3. Liga.

Plays a bit like: Nuri Şahin

It's no coincidence that the former BVB boss was the one who gave Akhil his debut. Like Şahin, the 24-year-old is a deep-lying midfielder who may not be the strongest physically, but more than makes up for it with his techique, vision and ability to get forward and make an impact in the opposition penalty area.

Did you know?

Azhil has Moroccan roots and was called up for the Morocco U23 side in 2023, but did not get on to the field of play has remained uncapped since. 

What they're saying

"Ayman is a very interesting player who has trained a lot under top conditions in the last year and previously showed his qualities in Waalwijk. We're happy that he will now take his next steps at Borussia Dortmund" - Jan Zimmermann, Dortmund U23 head coach

"He’s made great progress. We see him as an anchor player in central midfield. Maybe there’s also more that will come from that." - Ingo Preuß, Dortmund talent spotter on Azhil's contract extension upto 2027

Azhil could now make the jump up to becoming a more prominent member of Dortmund's first-team squad. - IMAGO/Dennis Ewert/RHR-FOTO

"Playing for BVB in the Bundesliga for the first time against Leipzig and hearing the fans chant my name was an indescribable feeling." - Ayman Azhil, after his first appearance for Dortmund against Leipzig

About the clubs

Borussia Dortmund

SIGNAL IDUNA PARK