Italian Serie A club US Cremonese officially completed today the loan signing of Moroccan midfielder Youssef Maleh from US Lecce. The deal will see Maleh join the Lombardy-based club until the end of the season, with an obligation to buy triggered if certain conditions are met.
The 27-year-old, who was born in Castel San Pietro Terme in Italy and represents Morocco at the international level, brings Serie A experience to Cremonese’s midfield. Maleh came through the youth ranks at Cesena and, after early senior spells with Ravenna and winning the Serie B playoffs with Venezia in 2021, he has featured in Italy’s top flight with Fiorentina, Empoli and Lecce.
Lecce initially hesitated to let Maleh leave, but the midfielder made it clear he was open to the move, and Cremonese intensified their pursuit by improving their offer. The resulting agreement allows him a fresh start as Cremonese look to strengthen their squad in the battle for survival in Serie A.
In total, Maleh has accumulated over 100 appearances in Italy’s top division, including nine this season before his transfer.
His international career with Morocco began in 2023, and the move to Cremonese, where he will wear shirt number 29, provides him with the chance to play more regularly under manager Davide Nicola, a coach he previously worked with during a loan spell at Empoli.
Hopefully, Male’s Serie A know-how and work rate will contribute to the team’s fight in the second half of the season.