El Mahdi Youssoufi (born 18 September 1998) is a Moroccan footballer.
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. After leaving them, he signed for Moroccan top-tier side FUS Rabat.
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; he would pick a degree in management at St. Francis College in Brooklyn. He would study there for three years before graduating; in that time he would play 39 games, scoring 21 goals.
While at college, Youssoufi also appeared in the USL League Two with Toledo Villa, making three appearances in 2021. He also spent the fall with the New York Pancyprian-Freedoms in the Eastern Premier Soccer League.
Following his release from NYCFC II, Youssoufi returned to the Pancyprian-Freedoms in the EPSL. In 2024, he appeared with FC Motown in the National Premier Soccer League and helped the team reach the national final. Following the summer, Youssoufi joined New York Greek American in the EPSL and helped the team win the 2024 NISA Nation National Championship.
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 and the first player from St. Francis College to be selected in the SuperDraft. He would ultimately sign for their MLS Next Pro side, New York City FC II, being announced on 24 March as one of their players for their inaugural season.
His competitive debut came as a substitute in a 7–0 defeat of Inter Miami II on 16 April 2022 and his first start would come two weeks later, in a loss to Philadelphia Union II. His first goal came on 8 May, the final goal in a 4–1 win over Toronto FC II.
Career statistics
- As of match played 20 September 2022.
References
