COMMERCE CITY, Colo. — The Colorado Rapids announced today the club has signed French midfielder Youssef Maziz to a contract through the 2027-28 MLS season, with a club option for 2028-29. Maziz will take up an international roster slot and is expected to join the group pending the receipt of his P-1 Visa.
“Youssef is a player who brings creativity and football intelligence that we believe will have a real impact on our attack,” said Colorado Rapids President Pádraig Smith. “He has the vision and technical quality to unlock opposition defenses, create chances for those around him, and elevate the players alongside him. Combined with his experience at a high level in Europe, he is an excellent fit for the way we want to play, and we’re excited to welcome him to Colorado.”
Maziz, 28, joins Colorado after spending the past three seasons with Oud-Heverlee Leuven in Belgium’s first division. While there, the midfielder made 114 appearances across all competitions, logging 15 goals and 16 assists. Soon after joining the club, Maziz was slated as a regular starter within the club and played a key role at the attacking midfield position. This past season, he appeared in 27 matches for the club, with three goals and three assists.
“Youssef is the exact type of character we have been looking to bring to the club. He has fantastic experience playing in high level games and will be a great addition to our young midfield group,” said Rapids Head Coach Matt Wells. “He is a very creative player; always looking to make and score goals but, crucially, he combines this with high intensity pressing out of possession. For these reasons, he is a perfect fit for our style of play and we are delighted to have secured his signature.”
Maziz got his start within the FC Metz system, where he spent the first years of his professional career. After appearing for various youth teams, he made his way up to the club’s second team, FC Metz B, in 2017. While honing his craft there, Maziz was sent on multiple loan stints to various clubs, including US Avaranches, Le Mans FC, and RFC Seraing. His performances earned him a contract with the FC Metz First Team, signing with the club in July of 2020.
With FC Metz in the French first division, Maziiz made a total of 50 appearances across all competitions, logging nine goals and seven assists. In the 2022-23 season, Maziz played a major role in helping Metz achieve promotion to Ligue 1 after spending the previous seasons in Ligue 2.
TRANSACTION: Colorado Rapids sign French midfielder Youssef Maziz to a contract through the 2027-28 MLS season. Maziz will hold an international roster spot.
Youssef Maziz
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5’9”
Weight: 179
Date of birth: June 24, 1998
Hometown: Thionville, France
