Crystal Palace Signs Rising Star Taha Mejni from Ittihad Touarga

Crystal Palace have moved again for emerging talent, landing highly rated Moroccan defender Taha Mejni from Ittihad Touarga in a deal that underlines the club’s growing reputation as a destination for elite youth prospects.

From Rabat to south London

Mejni, just 18, arrives in England after a rapid rise in Morocco’s top flight. He came through the academy at Ittihad Touarga and broke into the senior side in June 2025, making his debut in an Excellence Cup semi-final win over Wydad Fez. That was the first glimpse of a defender his former club quickly learned to rely on.

By the end of last season he had 17 senior appearances to his name, 15 of them in the last campaign and 13 as a starter. Palace’s recruitment team saw a teenager trusted week after week in a physically demanding league, comfortable both at centre-back and right-back, and moved decisively.

The club described him as “a versatile player capable of playing at centre-back or right-back,” highlighting his blend of technical quality and relish for the physical battle. That combination fits neatly with Palace’s recent blueprint: defenders who can play, but also enjoy the fight.

A world champion before adulthood

Mejni does not arrive as an unknown. He is already part of a golden Moroccan generation.

At 17, he helped Morocco win a historic Under-20 World Cup in Chile, the country’s first title at that level. On the way to the trophy, the young Atlas Lions beat Brazil, Spain, France and Argentina – a gauntlet of giants that turned heads across Europe and hardened a group of teenagers under intense pressure.

Mejni’s progress has not stalled since. He stepped up to Morocco’s Under-23 side this year, featuring in two internationals in March and starting in a 2-2 draw with Ivory Coast. Those minutes, against older and more seasoned opponents, added another layer to his development before his move to England.

Now he will join Darren Powell’s Under-21 squad at Palace, with a demanding schedule ahead: Premier League 2, the Premier League International Cup and the EFL Trophy. It is a pathway the club has used to bridge the gap between academy football and the first team, and Mejni is expected to be tested quickly.

Palace’s plan – and belief

Inside the club, there is clear excitement about what he can become.

“Crystal Palace is one of the biggest clubs in the Premier League and around the world,” Mejni said after signing. “They have achieved a great deal in recent years, so I am very excited to begin this new adventure with the club.”

Palace academy director Gary Issott did not hide his admiration for the defender’s rise.

“Taha enjoyed an excellent 25-26 season and gained valuable experience in the Moroccan first division, and he helped Morocco win the Under-20 World Cup at just 17 years old,” Issott said. “He is a multi-talented defender who impressed us with his performances, and we believe Crystal Palace is the right environment for him to continue his development. Welcome, Taha!”

Those are not throwaway lines. Palace have invested heavily in a pathway that has already produced first-team regulars and lucrative sales. Mejni is the latest to be dropped into that system with the expectation that he will adapt quickly to English football’s tempo and physical edge.

A heartfelt farewell

The move also closes a deeply personal chapter. Before boarding his flight to London, Mejni penned an emotional farewell to Ittihad Touarga on Instagram, reflecting on the five years that shaped him.

“After 5 wonderful years, the time has come for me to begin a new and important chapter in my life,” he wrote, thanking the club “for its trust in me, for the opportunities it gave me, and for all the memories that helped me grow, both on and off the pitch.”

He reserved special words for those closest to him in the dressing room. “Many thanks to my team-mates and friends. We shared unforgettable moments, and some of you became like brothers to me.”

Gratitude ran through every line. He spoke of “a great deal of gratitude, pride and beautiful memories,” and paid tribute “to everyone who believed in me and to those who continue to keep the club's spirit alive every day.”

His sign-off captured the weight of the goodbye and the pull of what comes next: “Thank you for everything, Ittihad Tanger. I will always be proud to have worn these colours. A new page opens, but the story continues. Forever grateful.”

A new test in red and blue

Now the story shifts to south London. Mejni arrives with a world title at youth level, top-flight experience in Morocco and the confidence of a teenager who has already stood up to some of the biggest names in his age group.

The next question is simple and ruthless: how quickly can he turn potential into Premier League readiness?