Ayoube Amaimouni-Echghouyab: Rising Star of the Bundesliga

In just 20 minutes of gameplay, Ayoube Amaimouni-Echghouyab (Vic, born November 30, 2004) has emerged as the ‘breakthrough player’ of the Bundesliga in 2026. During his debut with Eintracht Frankfurt on January 13, he scored a goal despite the team’s 3-2 defeat to Stuttgart. In his second match against Werder Bremen, which ended in a 3-3 draw, he assisted Knauff to secure an equalizer in the 94th minute.

Ayoube’s life story is as intriguing as his football prowess. He is multilingual, fluent in Spanish, English, Catalan, German, and Berber, yet he feels a deep connection to both Spain and Morocco, holding dual nationality. He grew up in Barcelona and had the opportunity to join La Masía at just 10 years old. However, his father had to migrate to Germany for work, and young Ayoube followed him, adapting to this new linguistic and social reality.

His early experiences in ‘fussball’ were challenging, but by the age of 18, he received multiple offers to pursue his football career abroad. With academic exams approaching, he prioritized his education over immediate athletic opportunities.

He played for several clubs, including TuS Eving-Lindenhorst, Rot-Weiss Essen, Arminia Bielefeld, and Erkenschwick, before joining the Hoffenheim reserve team in 2024 at the age of 19. His development has been characterized by maturity, responsibility, and strong family values. Those close to him affirm that he has a clear understanding of his origins, values his achievements, and has earned every step of his progress through hard work and resilience.

The Hispanic-Moroccan player draws inspiration from prominent wingers like Lamine Yamal, Riyad Mahrez, and Arjen Robben. Last season, he contributed seven goals and nine assists in 28 matches, helping his reserve team at Hoffenheim achieve promotion. In the current season, despite the jump to a higher division, he has continued to excel, amassing nine goals and six assists in just 18 games.

After changing agents and signing with EMG, it seemed he might return to Spain, with both Villarreal and Betis considering his signing. He received offers from Borussia Dortmund, Bayer Leverkusen, clubs in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Hoffenheim itself. Ultimately, Eintracht Frankfurt secured his talents, paying €200,000 for his transfer in the winter market, with a contract running until 2031.

Despite having played only 20 minutes with Eintracht, which recently parted ways with coach Dino Toppmöller, Ayoube’s impact has been substantial. He averages 2.96 shots per 90 minutes and 7.5 touches in the opponent’s area, showcasing his vertical play and dribbling skills. Frankfurt fans are already excited about this hidden gem that La Liga has overlooked.