Zachary Elbouzedi was loaned to English club Bolton in League One last season.
But in recent days, AIK agreed with Lincoln City on a transfer – and the player has signed a 3.5 year long contract with the Stockholm club.
– I am very pleased to sign for the biggest club in Sweden. I can not wait to get started now, train with the guys and play in front of the fans in the stadium. I want to thank the club for the opportunity and I look forward to helping the team on the field to get positive results, says the new acquisition to the club’s website.
Sports director Henrik Jurelius was also pleased to have landed his new acquisition.
– It feels good to get “Zack” here. He has qualities that we have been looking for and will fit well into our style of play. We look forward to working with him.
Born to a father from Libya and an Irish mother, Elbouzedi could have represented Libya’s national team. But he chose to play for his native Ireland instead.
The now 23-year-old player has represented Ireland’s national football team at all youth levels. Most recently with the country’s U21 team, where he has played 13 matches in total.
– Ireland’s Zachary Elbouzedi on the right cheers along with Troy Parrott and Conor Coventry after their equalizer, 1-1, against Sweden in a match in the U-21 European Championship qualifiers.
Photo: Patric Söderström / TT
At club level, he signed a two-year contract with League One club Lincoln City last year. Last season, however, he has been loaned to Bolton in English League Two. The club parked in third place in the table and thus advanced to the third division.
On loan to Bolton last season there were a total of 14 league matches – with zero goals scored.
More than a goal scorer, AIK’s new outer midfielder is a dribbler with good technique and very fast who can get past his defender. Together with the other attackers in the team, he can use his speed on one outer edge, usually on the right.
Although the Irishman had six months left on his contract with the English club Lincoln City, they chose to release him for free to AIK.
The clubs must agree that his old club for a certain resale percentage when he moves on from the Stockholm club.
Now the Irishman will take on new challenges in the Allsvenskan with AIK.