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El Mahdi Youssoufi (born September 18, 1998) is a Moroccan football player who plays for New York City FC II in the MLS Next Pro.

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El Mahdi Youssoufi

Personal information
Full name	El Mahdi Youssoufi
Date of birth	(1998-09-18) September 18, 1998 (age 24)
Place of birth	Tangier, Morocco
Position(s)	Forward
Club information
Current team	New York City FC II
Number	36
Youth career
	Mohammed VI Football Academy
	FUS Rabat
College career
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2019–2022	St. Francis Brooklyn Terriers	39	(21)
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2021	Toledo Villa	3	(0)
2022–	New York City FC II	16	(2)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of September 20, 2022

Playing career

Youth

In his childhood, El Mahdi Youssoufi passed through and graduated from the Mohammed VI Football Academy. At both under-15 and under-19 level he finished the season as the team's top scorer while also winning the league.[1] After leaving them, he signed for Moroccan top tier side FUS Rabat.[1]

College & amateur

In 2019 Youssoufi applied for the Second Chance program, in which young Moroccans are able to study in an American university on a joint footballing and academic course;[1] he would pick a degree in Management at St. Francis College in Brooklyn.[2] He would study there for three years before graduating; in that time he would play 39 games, scoring 21 goals.[2]

While at college, Youssoufi also appeared in the USL League Two with Toledo Villa, making three appearances in 2021.[3]

Senior

After graduation, El Mahdi Youssoufi was selected for the 2022 MLS SuperDraft. He was selected by MLS Cup holders New York City FC as the 84th pick in the third round. By being selected he became the first Second Chance player to join an American club[1] and the first player from St. Francis College to be selected in the SuperDraft.[4] He would ultimately sign for their MLS Next Pro side, New York City FC II, being announced on March 24 as one of their players for their inaugural season.[5]

His competitive debut came as a substitute in a 7–0 defeat of Inter Miami II on April 16, 2022 [6] and his first start would come two weeks later, in a loss to Philadelphia Union II.[7] His first goal came on May 8, the final goal in a 4–1 win over Toronto FC II.[8]

Career statistics

As of match played September 20, 2022.[9]

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			Cup[lower-alpha 1]		Continental		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
New York City FC II	2022	MLS Next Pro	16	2	—		—		16	2
Career total			16	2	0	0	0	0	16	2

References

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