Saint-Etienne have signed 18-year-old Tunisian midfielder Elyes Dhaoui from Olympique de Beja on a contract running until 2029.
The Ligue 1 club have moved to secure the highly rated youngster as part of their plans for the future, with Dhaoui set to begin his time in France with the reserve team.
Dhaoui joined Olympique de Beja’s academy at the age of 12 and progressed through the club’s system before making his debut in the Tunisian top flight at 16. Despite still being at the beginning of his senior career, he has already made 32 appearances in the league.
His development has also included extensive experience with Tunisia’s youth national teams. The new Saint-Etienne player has represented his country at a Under-17 World Cup, as well as at two Africa Cup of Nations tournaments at Under-17 and Under-20 level.
Dhaoui has been entrusted with leadership responsibilities during his international career and has worn the captain’s armband on several occasions.
Saint-Etienne football co-ordinator Loic Perrin described the teenager as a defensive midfielder who has already gained experience at a high level.
“milieu recuperateur avec une experience au haut niveau”
Perrin said Dhaoui would initially work with the reserve side but made clear that the club expects him to show the ambition required to progress quickly.
“Il se doit d’avoir l’ambition d’aller chercher plus haut.”
The move gives Saint-Etienne a young player with experience of senior domestic football and international youth competition, while Dhaoui will now begin the next stage of his development in the club’s structure.
His route to the first team is expected to start with the reserves, giving him the opportunity to adapt to his new surroundings and continue his development after leaving Olympique de Beja.
Dhaoui’s arrival is the latest step in a career that began early in Tunisia. Having entered the Olympique de Beja academy at 12, he moved into first-team football only four years later and has since built a notable record of league appearances for a player of his age.
His involvement in three major youth international tournaments has also provided him with experience beyond the domestic game. Alongside his appearances at the Under-17 World Cup, he took part in two editions of the Africa Cup of Nations, one at Under-17 level and another at Under-20 level.
Saint-Etienne have now committed to the midfielder until 2029, with the club hoping his early exposure to senior and international football can help him establish himself in France and make the step from the reserve team to a higher level.