Morocco winger Akhomach switches LaLiga clubs in loan move

After representing Morocco at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, Ilias Akhomach will play for a new club in Spain’s LaLiga when his club career resumes.

 

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The 21-year-old promising winger completed a loan move to Rayo Vallecano from fellow top flight club Villarreal, giving Akhomach an opportunity to find regular playing time ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

The move will be temporary for the next six months, as there is no option for Rayo to purchase on a permanent basis. Before the move, the Moroccan signed a contract extension with Villarreal that will run until 2028.

Akhomach showed plenty of potential during his time with The Yellow Submarine but his playing time has continued to decline since signing from FC Barcelona ahead of the 2023-24 season. After making 31 appearances in his first season with Villarreal, he only made 12 appearances last season and spent time with the club’s reserve team. This season, he scored 1 goal and provided 2 assists in 15 matches before leaving for national team duty.

Born in the autonomous community of Catalonia, the promising attacker developed at Barcelona FC’s La Masia academy and made his first team debut at the age of 17. He represented both Morocco and Spain at youth level, playing for his country of birth at the 2023 Euro U-19 Championship. Akhomach elected to represent Morocco at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, where he was an important player for the bronze medalists.

He made three appearances, all as a substitute, at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations as hosts Morocco finished runner-up. Rayo Vallecano, currently 13th on the LaLiga table, next host Osasuna on Saturday.