Benzahra, Ajroud, Haddani and Gomes Da Veiga sign first professional contracts

AS Monaco are delighted to announce the signing of first professional contracts for Safouane Benzahra, Najd Ajroud, Nahël Haddani and Melvin Gomes Da Veiga, four players who have come through La Diagonale.

Published on 22/09/2026 at 15:41

Reading time: 7 min.

Members of the 2008 generation, Safouane Benzahra, Najd Ajroud, Nahël Haddani and Melvin Gomes Da Veiga spent last season with the AS Monaco U19s, coached by Frédéric Barilaro. The four players played their part in their team’s successful campaign, which saw them reach the semi-finals of the French U19 Championship. They are now taking another step forward by signing their first professional contracts with AS Monaco, keeping them at the Club until 30 June 2029.

Safouane Benzahra 🇲🇦

Born in Breda, Netherlands, on 18 August 2008, Safouane Benzahra joined the AS Monaco Academy in summer 2025 from NAC Breda. During his first season in the Diagonale shirt, the attacking midfielder quickly established himself with the U19s, making 16 appearances and scoring eight goals.

His professional debut this season 🏋️‍♂️

His performances also enabled him to take another step forward this summer. Included in the first-team squad during pre-season, he featured in several friendly matches before making his competitive debut for the senior side in the first leg of the Conference League play-off against Górnik Zabrze (2-3). He then made his first appearance at the Stade Louis-II in the second leg, which ended in a 4-1 victory for les Rouge & Blanc.

Read also AS Monaco Cruise Past Górnik Zabrze to Reach the Conference League!

Future Morocco U20 international 🔜

Safouane made his Ligue 1 debut in AS Monaco’s victory away to Paris Saint-Germain (2-1). A Morocco youth international who has represented the U17s and U18s, he was recently called up to the Atlas Lions’ U20 squad, alongside his teammate Ilies Belmokhtar.

Najd Ajroud 🎯

Born in Grasse on 16 January 2008, Najd Ajroud joined AS Monaco at the age of 12. After three seasons with the Association, the left-footed attacking midfielder joined the Academy in 2023, becoming part of the U17 squad coached by Manu Dos Santos.

A standout U19 season in 2025-26 👏

Last season, the France U19 international impressed with the U19s, registering 10 goals and 10 assists in 33 appearances. He also made his mark in the UEFA Youth League, playing a part in les Rouge et Blanc’s victories against Bodø/Glimt (one goal, two assists) and Páfos (one assist), before featuring in the victory over Galatasaray.

With the first team this summer 💪

This summer, Najd Ajroud took part in the first team’s pre-season under Filipe Luís, featuring in friendly matches against Sporting Portugal and Cercle Brugge. Back with the Elite Group coached by Dennis Schmitt, he continues to develop and played a part in AS Monaco’s recent victories against RC Lens on Matchday 1 of the Challenge Espoirs, as well as scoring in the victory over OGC Nice. His performances in the Diagonale shirt have earned him a place in the France U19 squad, which he joined during this international break for his first call-up at this level.

Nahël Haddani ⚽

Born in Mende on 14 December 2008, Nahël Haddani joined AS Monaco in summer 2025 from Entente Saint-Clément Montferrier, where the striker had impressed by scoring 22 goals in the French U17 National Championship during his final season in the Hérault region.

A World Cup U17 quarter-finalist 🌍

In his first season in the Diagonale shirt, the 2008-born forward confirmed his attacking qualities by scoring 14 goals in 22 appearances for Frédéric Barilaro’s U19s, helping his team reach the semi-finals of the French U19 Championship. A Morocco youth international, Nahël Haddani also made his mark on the international stage at the 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup, reaching the quarter-finals with the Atlas Lion Cubs and recording three goals and one assist.

Now part of the Elite Group coached by Dennis Schmitt, he continues his development with AS Monaco. Like Najd Ajroud, he featured in the victories over RC Lens and OGC Nice.

Melvin Gomes Da Veiga 🚧

Born in Marseille on 26 March 2008, Melvin Gomes Da Veiga joined AS Monaco in summer 2023 from SC Air Bel. Able to play both at right-back and centre-back, the 2008-born player has continued his development at the Academy, making almost 50 appearances for the U17s and U19s of les Rouge & Blanc.

Steady progress at the Academy 📈

During the 2025-26 season, he made almost 20 appearances for the U19s and took part in AS Monaco’s UEFA Youth League campaign. On the international stage, Melvin Gomes Da Veiga took another step forward last season when he received his first call-up to the France U18 squad.

He made an immediate impact on his debut by scoring against England, before featuring in three matches in the Elite Round of the U19 European Championship with les Bleuets last March. Now part of the Elite Group coached by Dennis Schmitt, he continues his development with AS Monaco.