Safouane Benzahra one of four academy products to sign pro deals at Monaco

Safouane Benzahra one of four academy products to sign pro deals at Monaco Safouane Benzahra (18) is one of four academy products to have signed his first professional contract at AS Monaco. Benzahra a Morocco youth international, has featured with Monaco’s first team this season, playing in both of the club’s UEFA Europa Conference League qualifiers, as well as playing a handful of minutes of Ligue 1 football. His contract with the Principality club runs until the summer of 2029, as do the contracts of the three other youngsters who have committed their futures to their formative club. Centre-back Melvin Gomes (18), meanwhile, has committed to Les Monégasques despite interest from Premier League giants Chelsea. Nael Haddani (17), a winger who plays for the Morocco U18s, has also signed, as has Najd Aroud (18), a playmaker who has represented France and Tunisia at youth level. The trio will continue to gain experience in Dennis Schmitt’s Groupe Élite, but like Benzahra, could also vie for a place in Filipe Luís’ first-team set-up. GFFN | Luke Entwistle