10 things you (probably) didn’t know about Rayan Ait-Nouri | OneFootball

Here are a selection of facts, trivia and quotes about our new Algerian defender...

Capital gains

Born in the Paris commune of Montreuil – about four miles from the centre of the French capital - Rayan grew up in the Fontenay-sous-Bois area of Paris.

He joined the youth academy of AS Val de Fontenay aged eight and stayed there for three years before moving to ASF Le Perreux 94 in 2012.

Up to the age of 12, Rayan played as a No.10, but he was asked to switch to left-back and that’s where he found the space on the flanks liberating and was able to use his natural attacking skills, pace and dribbling to better effect.

After spending two years with Paris FC, Rayan moved to Angers and continued his education in their youth academy, breaking into the first team squad as a 17-year-old.

First footing

In August 2018, he made his senior debut for Angers against PSG at the Parc des Princes, going up against superstars Neymar and Kylian Mbappe!

It’s a moment he will never forget and says it was a reward for all the hard graft he put in to make it as a professional footballer.

SHOP OUR PUMA KING COLLECTION

“I was very happy and very proud because every sacrifice I did when I was young to be a professional footballer, it paid off,” he said.

“When my family watched me on TV, for my mother it was very emotional. I was very proud.”

WATCH: Ait-Nouri: I’m happy to be playing for, rather than against, City!

Molineux move

Aged 19, Rayan was spotted by Wolverhampton Wanderers who took the teenager on loan for the remainder of the 2020/21 campaign.

He spent a further four seasons at Molineux before making the switch to the Etihad.

Our new signing admits learning a new language was a challenge initially but his drive and determination to speak more fluently has paid dividends.

“When you speak with the English people, it’s easier to learn some words and now I feel more confident,” he said.

“I try to improve my English and not speak French in the dressing room, for example.

“I keep pushing to try to do my best and improve my English.”

Real deal

Real Madrid legend Marcelo was Ait-Nouri’s hero growing up.

The left-back enjoyed a 16-season stint at the Bernabeu and is Madrid’s most decorated player with 25 trophies to his name - five Champions League crowns, four Club World Cups, a trio of UEFA Super Cups, six La Liga titles, a pair of Copas del Rey and five Spanish Super Cups.

“When I was young, I watched a lot of Marcelo at Real Madrid,” said our new signing.

“For me, he’s the best left-back of our time, he’s very good, very technical. With the ball, he has a lot of ability. I liked him.”

When it comes to a mentor, who has guided Ait-Nouri on his football journey, he looked a little closer to home.

“I would say my father or my brother,” he added. “They were with me every time, following me everywhere when I was young. When I played away from home, my father and brother came every time. They pushed me to be a professional and gave me advice.”

Team player

Rayan had a standout season in the gold and black in 2024/25, making the most appearances for Wolves – 37 – missing just one Premier League match.

He also scored five goals and provided seven assists – the highest attacking returns of his career to date and the most assists for the Molineux club.

Despite those impressive personal highlights, Ait-Nouri was more interested in how they contributed to the success of the side.

“For me, I don’t look at the personal contribution, the most important thing is the team. I will work every time for the team, I will give everything for the team, because it’s the most important thing.

“When you give everything for the team, for the coach, for the fans, then you can look at your own good moments.”

Calm demeanour

There are many ups and downs in football, but Ait-Nouri says he manages to keep on an even keel through the good times and the bad.

“If I have a good game or bad game, I’m the same,” he said.

“If I have a good game, I’ll think of other things, but after a bad game I want to take my mind off it.

“When I take a shower and leave the stadium, I switch off.

“I’ll speak with my family, and they help me a lot. Sometimes it’s good for your head and your mentality to be close to your family. They can speak about things other than football to take me away from it.”

Algeria switch

In January 2023, Rayan chose to represent Algeria at senior international level, winning his first cap against Niger three months later before earning a place in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations squad.

Of his switch from France to Algeria, he explained: “Algeria is my roots. Since I was little, I've always been to Algeria, and at home we only spoke Arabic.

“Before joining the national team to play against Niger, it had been a while since I'd been there because football was complicated. I was happy to come back, to see the country again, and it's changed a lot!

“When I'm in Algeria, I'm always happy; my mood changes as soon as I arrive there. The people are smiling, they're friendly, everyone has their hands on their heart; it's magnificent!”

International pride

Representing Algeria is a huge source of pride for Rayan, who follows in the footsteps of crowd idols Ali Benarbia and Riyad Mahrez as French-born Algerian City internationals.

He said: “Before joining the national team, I already knew roughly how it would go. Many of us on this team grew up in the Ile-de-France region.

“We all have more or less the same story, and it all started in our neighbourhoods.

“The national team is very family-oriented; everyone talks together, and there's a lot of respect between us. You have to experience it; it's indescribable.”

2024/25

Wolves enjoyed a remarkable revival in the second half of the 2024/25 Premier League season, with six-straight wins in as many weeks in March and April staving off any relegation worries.

Ait-Nouri was one of their standout performers across the campaign, registering the joint-most assists in the entire Wolves squad and the second most among Premier League defenders.

He also had the most touches of any Wolves player across the season, the third most shots in the entire squad and won possession in the final third more than any other Premier League defender.

Rayan was a key figure at both ends of the pitch for Vitor Pereira’s resurgent side.

Ideal fit

His former assistant manager at Wolves, Edu Rubio, believes Rayan will be a hit at City.

Rubio worked with the left-back when Julen Lopetegui was in charge and thinks that the possession-based game that the Blues employ under Pep Guardiola makes Rayan a good fit for the eight-time Premier League champions.

“I think his technical competency, his ability and skill in tight areas, keeping the ball close to his feet and being able to dribble, being able to get the team up the third by driving with the ball, all these things make him a very interesting player for Manchester City.”