Souffian El Karouani

Souffian El Karouani of Benfica was born in ’s-Hertogenbosch , Netherlands on 19 October 2000 (age 25).

Souffian El Karouani (born 19 October 2000, age 25) is a Moroccan left-back at Benfica. He is valued at around £13m by Transfermarkt, which reflects a player established enough to be taken seriously without needing the usual inflated noise around him.

His most productive league season came with NEC Nijmegen in 2020-21, when he scored three goals in 38 appearances. For a full-back, that is a useful return rather than a headline act, and it points to a player comfortable enough getting forward without being defined solely by it.

At Benfica in 2026-27, El Karouani has made two Liga Portugal appearances and one in the Europa League, giving him three appearances in all competitions. His career has moved from NEC into a bigger club environment, with Morocco his national background and left-back his clear position.

📈 Key stats and insights

Souffian El Karouani has made 2 Liga Portugal appearances this season, both as a substitute

Souffian El Karouani has one Europa League appearance in 2026-27

Souffian El Karouani averages a 7.44 rating this season

Souffian El Karouani has a market value of €15.00m

Last updated 4 October 2026. Send feedback

Souffian El Karouani stats

Check out all of the statistics about Souffian El Karouani.

Left Back
Primary Position: Defender
Position

Souffian El Karouani

LB

1.78m (5ft 10in)
Height: 34
Squad Number: 74kg (11st 9lb)
Weight: 19 October 2000 (age 25)
Date of Birth: ’s-Hertogenbosch
Birthplace: Netherlands 🇳🇱
Country of Birth: Benfica
Team: £13m (via Transfermarkt)
Market Value

📊 Season stats

Team: Benfica
Liga Portugal 2026 - 2027
Games: 2
Starting: -
Substitute: 2
Unused: 5
Utilisation: 29%
Goals: -
Yellows: -
Reds: -

Team: Benfica
Europa League 2026 - 2027
Games: 1
Starting: 1
Substitute: -
Unused: -
Utilisation: 100%
Goals: -
Yellows: 1
Reds: -

El Karouani has made two Liga Portugal appearances in 2026-27, both from the bench, and one Europa League appearance, all without scoring – his usage points to a squad role as a substitute left back early in the campaign.

🔥 Recent form

Last 1 appearances for Souffian El Karouani.

Season average rating: 7.44

Match: AC Milan 0-2 Benfica
16 Sep 2026 (A)
Mins: 88
Goals: -
Rating: 7.4

El Karouani is averaging a 7.44 rating in 2026-27 – the identical highest and lowest mark signals consistent match evaluations across his limited appearances.

📋 Career stats

Team: Benfica
Season 2026 - 2027
Country: Portugal 🇵🇹
Games: 2
Goals: -

Team: FC Utrecht
Season 2025 - 2026
Country: Netherlands 🇳🇱
Games: 32
Goals: 2

Team: FC Utrecht
Season 2024 - 2025
Country: Netherlands 🇳🇱
Games: 34
Goals: 2

Team: FC Utrecht
Season 2023 - 2024
Country: Netherlands 🇳🇱
Games: 29
Goals: -

Team: NEC Nijmegen
Season 2022 - 2023
Country: Netherlands 🇳🇱
Games: 33
Goals: 2

Team: NEC Nijmegen
Season 2021 - 2022
Country: Netherlands 🇳🇱
Games: 31
Goals: -

Team: NEC Nijmegen
Season 2020 - 2021
Country: Netherlands 🇳🇱
Games: 38
Goals: 3

Team: NEC Nijmegen
Season 2019 - 2020
Country: Netherlands 🇳🇱
Games: 2
Goals: -

El Karouani progressed from a trainee move to NEC Nijmegen in July 2017, moved to FC Utrecht on a free transfer in July 2023, transferred to Al-Qadsiah on a free transfer in July 2026 and then joined Benfica on loan in September 2026 – the trajectory runs from Dutch development into moves outside the Netherlands and back into a top Portuguese club.

💰 Transfers

Team: Benfica
1 September 2026
From: Al-Qadsiah
Type: Loan

Team: Al-Qadsiah
1 July 2026
From: FC Utrecht
Type: Free Transfer

Team: FC Utrecht
1 July 2023
From: NEC Nijmegen
Type: Free Transfer

Team: NEC Nijmegen
1 July 2017
Type: Trainee

Key moves are a trainee arrival at NEC Nijmegen in July 2017, a free transfer to FC Utrecht in July 2023, a free transfer to Al-Qadsiah in July 2026 and a loan to Benfica in September 2026 – the recent switch to Benfica is structured as a loan rather than a permanent transfer.

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🔗 External links

Souffian El Karouani on Transfermarkt