Crystal Palace Signs Taha Mejni: Moroccan Defender's Journey
Crystal Palace have moved again in the youth market, landing highly rated Moroccan defender Taha Mejni from Ittihad Touarga after his breakout year in the Botola.
The 18-year-old, who came through the academy at Ittihad Touarga, only made his senior debut in June 2025, stepping into an Excellence Cup semi-final against Wydad Fez. He did not look back. By the end of last season he had 17 first-team appearances for the Moroccan club, 15 of them in the 2025-26 campaign and 13 as a starter.
Palace describe him as “a versatile player capable of playing at centre-back or right-back”, a profile that fits neatly with the club’s recent push to stockpile athletic, technically comfortable defenders in their pathway sides. He will join Darren Powell’s Under-21 squad and is set to feature in Premier League 2, the Premier League International Cup and the EFL Trophy.
World champion at 17
Mejni does not arrive as a raw unknown. He was part of Morocco’s historic Under-20 World Cup triumph in Chile last year, a landmark success for the country as they lifted the title for the first time.
Aged just 17 during that tournament, he helped Morocco navigate a brutal route through the knockouts, beating Brazil, Spain, France and Argentina on their way to the trophy. That run hardened his reputation as one of the standout defenders of his age group in North Africa.
His progress has not stalled since. Mejni has already stepped up to Morocco’s Under-23 side, winning two caps in March. He started the 2-2 draw with Ivory Coast, another marker that he is trusted on bigger stages despite his age.
Palace’s academy hierarchy are convinced they have moved at the right time. Academy director Gary Issott underlined the scale of his 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, before stressing the club’s belief in the environment they can offer. “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!”
“A new adventure”
For Mejni, this is a leap that he has been building towards since his first steps in Touarga’s youth set-up. The move to south London is both a reward and a fresh test.
“Crystal Palace is one of the biggest clubs in the Premier League and around the world,” he 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.”
He describes himself as a defender with “technical qualities” who relishes the physical battle as well. Palace will expect both sides of that game to sharpen quickly in English football’s demanding development leagues.
Emotional farewell to Morocco
The transfer closes a five-year chapter at Ittihad Touarga that clearly meant a great deal to the player. Mejni posted a lengthy, emotional farewell on Instagram, underlining how deeply he felt his time at the club.
“After 5 wonderful years, the time has come for me to begin a new and important chapter in my life,” he wrote. He thanked Ittihad Touarga “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.”
His message turned to the coaches who helped shape him: “I also extend my thanks to my coaches for their advice, their patience and their trust, which helped me grow as a player and as a person.”
Then came the dressing-room bond that every young player leaving home understands. “Many thanks to my team-mates and friends. We shared unforgettable moments, and some of you became like brothers to me.”
Gratitude ran through the rest of his farewell. “I leave feeling a great deal of gratitude, pride and beautiful memories. Thank you to everyone who believed in me and to those who continue to keep the club’s spirit alive every day,” he wrote, before signing off with a final salute: “Thank you for everything, Ittihad Touarga. I will always be proud to have worn these colours. A new page opens, but the story continues. Forever grateful.”
From a semi-final in Morocco to Premier League 2 nights in England, that new page starts now. How quickly Mejni turns it into a first-team story is the next question Crystal Palace – and Morocco – will be watching closely.
