Jaouen Hadjam's Departure from Young Boys Signals Move to Albion

Jaouen Hadjam looks to have played his last meaningful minutes for Young Boys.

The Algeria international was pulled out of the firing line in Switzerland on Sunday, left on the bench and unused as the champions beat Vaduz 4-2 in the league, with a £10 million move to Albion understood to be close.

It was not a normal omission. The 23-year-old full-back had started Young Boys’ previous matches, a regular part of Gerardo Seoane’s plans as they defended their Swiss title. This time, he watched on.

Seoane had already flagged the issue in the build-up, openly questioning how sharp and focused Hadjam could be “when he is on the verge of a potential transfer.” The decision to sit him down felt like the logical next step – and a clear signal.

After the final whistle, the clues kept coming.

Hadjam spent around 15 minutes by the pitchside, signing autographs, posing for photos and chatting with supporters. He often takes time with fans, but on this occasion the scene carried a different weight. The gestures were read as a goodbye.

Predominantly a left-back, the former Paris FC youngster can also operate on the right, a versatility that fits neatly with Albion’s demands under Fabian Hürzeler. He joined Nantes earlier in his career before moving to Young Boys, where he helped them secure the 2023-24 Swiss title and added to his growing reputation.

Now, with 21 Algeria caps already to his name, he stands on the brink of the Premier League.

Albion's Defensive Landscape

At Albion, the left side of defence is already a fiercely contested area. Ferdi Kadioglu excelled at left-back last season and walked away with player of the year honours, while also showing he can switch over and play on the right. Maxim De Cuyper, converted from winger to full-back, offers another option on that flank, though his performances so far in the Premier League have arguably looked more dangerous higher up the pitch.

Hadjam would arrive not as a stopgap, but as part of a reshaping of the full-back roles: young, athletic, comfortable on both sides, and used to playing for a team expected to dominate domestically.

For now, he remains a Young Boys player on paper. On the pitch and in the stands on Sunday, it felt like the first chapter of his Albion story had already begun.