Who is Aznou, Bayern's latest prodigy?

Data correct as of 2 November 2024

Adam Aznou

Age: 17 (born 2 June 2006)
Club: Bayern Munich
Position: left-back/left-winger
Country: Morocco (4 youth caps)

Key stats

Born in Barcelona, Aznou’s first taste of organised football was with CF Damm, a Catalan youth club that concentrates on developing young players and looks to help them join professional outfits. In Aznou's case, it was clear from a young age that he possessed bags of ability. Therefore, his move to giants Barcelona at the age of 13 in 2019 was perhaps inevitable.

At the Blaugrana’s famed La Masia academy, Aznou honed his skills. However, in the summer of 2022, he chose to seek pastures new after failing to agree a new contract, and Bayern - Der Rekordmeister - were ready to pounce. The new recruit immediately linked up with the U17s, scoring twice and providing two assists in nine appearances. He was promoted to the U19s at the start of the 2023/24 campaign and continued to shine, netting three strikes in 19 games as well as four assists, including three in seven UEFA Youth League outings.

A call-up to Bayern’s second team materialised in February of 2024, with Aznou making his professional debut in a 1-0 defeat to Greuther Fürth II. By that point, he had already been named amongst the substitutes for the senior squad as Tuchel dealt with a number of injuries, with his first inclusion in the matchday squad coming on 27 January 2024 against Augsburg.

In the 2024/25 season, Aznou racked up six U19 appearances - as well as three UEFA Youth League matches, notching a goal and an assist - before once again receiving a senior squad call-up and then making his Bundesliga debut in 2 November 2024. Aged just 18 and five months, Aznou came off the bench to replace Alphonso Davies in the 80th minute of a 3-0 win over Union Berlin. 

Eligible to represent the country of his birth or Morocco through his parents, Aznou initially played for the latter at U15 level before switching allegiances. However, after nine games for Spain’s U16s and U17s, he returned to the Atlas Lions’ set-up and featured for their U17s in 2023. Then in August 2024, he received his first call-up to the Morocco senior team and made his debut against Lesotoho in an AFCON 2025 qualifier on 9 September.

Plays a bit like… Raphäel Guerreiro

There is plenty of competition for the left-back spot at Bayern, with Alphonso Davies and Guerreiro excelling in the position. Aznou’s profile means he would slot in seamlessly, especially if it were as a direct replacement for the Portugal international. Both players are particularly comfortable going forward and are able to bring teammates into play with pinpoint passes and crosses.

Just like Guerreiro, Aznou likes to cut inside and occasionally slot into central midfield. The youngster could do with adding a few more goals to his game, but he certainly has the raw talent to succeed at the highest level.

Did you know?

Aznou will have to improve his discipline now he is mixing it with the big boys. In 52 youth appearances for Bayern, he has picked up 17 yellow cards, as well as one red. More control will surely come with experience, though.

What they are saying

"Adam has done very well. In training, but also with the national team. And now, of course, it feels like we have an extra player to count on. He's young, he can be proud, his parents can be proud." Bayern coach Vincent Kompany after Aznou's Bundesliga debut

"He is an extremely talented guy. He has an incredible amount of potential and that's why we're happy that he's now arrived at the professional level. Hopefully there will be many more games to come." Bayern Sporting Director Max Eberl after Aznou's Bundesliga debut

"Adam is a creative winger with a lot of offensive drive. He is quick, technically adept, strong and provides good crosses. We are convinced that he will strengthen our junior teams and, above all, of his further development potential." Bayern Campus Sporting Director Holger Seitz

"FC Bayern tried very hard to look after me. I’m really happy about this move and am looking forward to being able to continue my training at this big club." Aznou after signing for Bayern

“It's not just what we saw from them here, but also during the entire training week. What the boys brought to the pitch was pretty good. Everyone is giving everything.” Manuel Neuer discussing the youngsters, one of whom was Aznou, who were part of Bayern’s mid-season training camp in Faro.