Ilyes Ziani

Ilyes Ziani (born 20 June 2003) is a professional footballer who plays for Challenger Pro League club RWD Molenbeek. Born in Belgium, he is a youth international for Morocco.

Ilyes Ziani

Personal information
Date of birth	(2003-06-20) 20 June 2003 (age 22)
Place of birth	Brussels, Belgium[1]
Height	1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)
Position(s)	Midfielder
Team information
Current team	RWD Molenbeek
Number	11
Youth career
	Union SG
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2021–2023	Union SG	6	(0)
2022–2023	→ SL 16 FC (loan)	27	(6)
2023–2024	SL 16 FC	26	(1)
2024	Standard Liège	0	(0)
2024–	RWD Molenbeek	26	(7)
International career‡
2022	Morocco U20	3	(0)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 20 April 2025 ‡ National team caps and goals as of 18:55, 6 June 2023 (UTC)

Club career

Coming through the youth ranks of the Royale Union Saint-Gilloise, of which he captained the under-21 side, Ilyes Ziani signed his first professional contract with the club from the Belgian capital on in August 2021.^[2][3][4]

Ziani made his professional debut for Union SG on the 15 December 2021, replacing Dante Vanzeir during a 2–0 away Division 1A win against Zulte Waregem.^[5][4][6] The newly promoted team from Saint-Gilles was then enjoying a remarkable spell back in the First Division after 48 years, with Union sitting well on top of the league after the first half of the season.^[6][7]

On 31 May 2023, Ziani signed a two-year contract with Standard Liège after playing for their second team SL16 FC on loan in the previous season.^[8]

On 13 August 2024, Ziani moved to RWD Molenbeek on a two-year deal.^[9]

International career

Born in Belgium, Ziani is of Moroccan descent. He was called up to the Morocco U20s for a set of friendlies in September 2022.^[10]