Crystal Palace sign Moroccan defender Taha Megni from Union Touarga

Taha Megni has made Moroccan football history at 18. Crystal Palace have signed the young defender from Union Touarga, bringing him into the English club’s academy.

Megni is the first player to move directly from Morocco’s professional league to a club competing in the English Premier League. He developed through Union Touarga’s youth teams before making his first-team debut in June 2025, in the Excellence Cup semifinal against Wydad Fès.

The defender can play in central defense or at right-back, giving him tactical flexibility. He appeared in 17 first-team matches for Union Touarga, including 15 last season, when he started 13 of them.

Megni also represented Morocco at international level. He won the Under-20 World Cup in Chile with the national team, contributing at 17 to victories over Brazil, Spain, France and Argentina. He later joined Morocco’s under-23 team and played twice in March. He will join Crystal Palace’s under-21 side under coach Darren.