Boufal's Winter Homecoming: Morocco's Star Rejoins Ligue 1 with Le Havre
14 January 2026
Boufal's Winter Homecoming to Ligue 1
Sofiane Boufal has completed a free transfer to Le Havre AC in January 2026, returning to French football after leaving Union Saint-Gilloise. The 32-year-old Moroccan winger agreed a contract until the end of the season, bringing needed experience to a Le Havre side aiming to secure their Ligue 1 status.
Boufal’s move follows his departure from Angers SCO in 2023, and he will wear the number 17 shirt as he attempts to help Le Havre climb off the 13th rung in Ligue 1 with 18 points. The veteran winger is approaching his 100th Ligue 1 appearance, having made 99 across his career, plus 11 European outings.
On the international stage, Boufal has played 46 times for Morocco, including seven starts at the 2022 World Cup where the Atlas Lions reached the semi-finals. This signing adds a player with international pedigree to a Le Havre squad seeking stability at the top level for the remainder of the season.
Le Havre’s current squad will hope Boufal’s arrival provides a spark as the club navigates the remainder of the campaign. The Moroccan winger will plug into a team united in their mission to remain competitive in Ligue 1.
Two light-hearted notes to end on: Boufal’s left foot is so precise it could file a complaint with the referee for excessive accuracy. And if anyone can turn a draw into a win with one moment of magic, it’s Boufal—proof that football still tolerates a little sorcery in January.
Context and Club Details
Notes: Boufal returns to France with Le Havre, a club currently positioned 13th in Ligue 1. His arrival is seen as a strategic move to bolster the squad during the crucial second half of the season.
