Libyan national team star Ali Youssef bid farewell to the fans of Tunisian club Club Africain with an emotional message, following the confirmation of his departure from the team and his official move to French club Nantes during the current winter transfer window, marking his first professional venture in Europe.
Nantes officially announced on Monday the signing of Libyan defender Ali Youssef from Club Africain on a contract until 2028, in a deal worth approximately 500,000 euros, after the player successfully passed his medical examinations.
A Notable Stint with Club Africain
Ali Youssef is 24 years old and plays as a central defender. He joined Club Africain in the summer of 2024, coming from Al-Ahli Benghazi, and over the course of a season and a half, he succeeded in attracting attention with his consistent and distinguished performances.
The Libyan defender played 40 matches for Club Africain in the Tunisian League and domestic cup competitions, scoring 7 goals—a notable number for a defender. This made him a target for several foreign clubs and opened the doors to European professionalism, a dream the player had expressed his commitment to since the start of the season.
A Heartfelt Farewell Message
Ali Youssef made sure to direct an emotional farewell message to the fans of Club Africain via a video published on his official Facebook account. He said: “There are moments we cannot fully live, and others we bid farewell to even if they are close to the heart. Football has taught me that joy and sorrow, success and exhaustion, are all part of the journey. I learned, grew, and felt the support of the people and the love of the fans.”
He added: “Club Africain was not just a jersey I wore; it was home and family. Thank you to the club and the fans who stood by me, thank you to everyone who supported me through good times and bad.”
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He continued, saying: “Today, my dream of playing professionally in Europe has come true, a dream I have had since childhood. It’s true that I have parted ways with Club Africain on the field, but I will remain a lover of this entity and one of its supporters. Forever Africain, long live Africain.”
A New European Experience
With his move to Nantes, Ali Youssef becomes the second Libyan player to experience professional football in the French league, following his compatriot Mo’tassim Misrati, who previously played for Monaco last season.
The Libyan defender will be a teammate of Egyptian star Mostafa Mohamed, Nantes’ striker, in a team seeking to improve its results this season, as it currently occupies 16th place in the French league table with 14 points.
Ali Youssef is expected to form an important defensive addition for Nantes, as the club aims to strengthen its squad and move away from the relegation zone, while Libyan fans anticipate the success of a new player representing Libyan football on the European stage.
Libyan national team star Ali Youssef in the jersey of French club Nantes, Monday, January 19, 2026.
Nantes
Nantes is a historic port city in western France, known for its role as a major trading hub during the 18th-century Atlantic slave trade. Today, it is celebrated for its cultural vibrancy, including the innovative mechanical wonders of the Les Machines de l’Île and its well-preserved medieval quarter, the Bouffay district.
Club Africain
Club Africain is a prominent Tunisian multisport club founded in 1919 in Tunis, making it one of the oldest and most successful clubs in the country. It is best known for its highly popular football team, which has won numerous domestic and continental titles, and has historically been associated with the nationalist movement during the French protectorate era.
Al-Ahli Benghazi
Al-Ahli Benghazi is a major professional football club based in Benghazi, Libya, founded in 1947. It is one of the country’s oldest and most successful clubs, historically seen as a symbol of the city and its Cyrenaican region. The club has a large and passionate fanbase and has often been a prominent competitor in Libyan football.
Tunisian League
The Tunisian League for Human Rights (LTDH) was founded in 1977, making it the first human rights organization in the Arab and African world. It played a significant role in advocating for democratic freedoms and civil liberties during Tunisia’s authoritarian periods, contributing to the country’s political evolution.
Europe
Europe is a continent with a rich and complex history, shaped by ancient civilizations like Greece and Rome, the transformative periods of the Renaissance and Enlightenment, and the profound impacts of two World Wars. Culturally, it is renowned for its diverse artistic heritage, architectural landmarks, and as the birthplace of influential movements in philosophy, science, and politics. Its modern identity is largely defined by the political and economic integration of the European Union.
French league
The French league, commonly known as Ligue 1, is the top professional football division in France. It was founded in 1932 under the name National before being renamed Division 1 and later Ligue 1, with AS Saint-Étienne and Paris Saint-Germain among its most historically successful clubs.
Monaco
Monaco is a sovereign city-state on the French Riviera, known for its luxury and as the home of the Formula One Grand Prix. Historically ruled by the Grimaldi family since the 13th century, it became a constitutional monarchy in 1911 and is famed for its casino in Monte Carlo, established in the mid-19th century.
Libyan national team
The Libyan national football team, representing Libya since 1953, has experienced significant interruptions due to political instability and conflict. Its most notable achievement was winning the 2014 African Nations Championship (CHAN), a tournament for domestic-based players.
Facebook
Facebook is a social networking service founded in 2004 by Mark Zuckerberg and his Harvard University roommates. It began as a platform for college students before expanding globally, fundamentally changing online communication and becoming one of the world’s largest technology companies.
