RSC Anderlecht have secured their new striker. Tawfik Bentayeb, the 24-year-old Moroccan striker, joins from Union Touarga Sportif. He has signed a four-year contract with the Mauves. Get to know Sporting’s new Atlas Lion in his first interview.
Welcome to Brussels, Tawfik. How do you feel about signing here today?
I’m obviously extremely proud to be able to sign for RSC Anderlecht. It’s a historic club in football with a great history, so it’s an honour to now be part of it. I’m really looking forward to giving my best for this club, and I hope we can achieve great things together.
Can you tell us a little more about your journey in football so far?
I was trained at the Mohammed VI Football Academy in Rabat, Morocco. I spent my youth career there from the age of twelve until I was nineteen. Afterwards, I joined Union Touarga Sportif, where I played for two and a half years. I was then loaned to Rodez and later to ESTAC Troyes, both in France. Today, I’m here at RSC Anderlecht, ready for a new challenge.
How was your time in France?
Last season at Troyes was historic. We were promoted to Ligue 1. It gave me a lot of pleasure to contribute and play an important role in achieving that promotion with my goals. Finishing as the club’s top scorer with 18 goals in 28 matches is something that will stay with me forever.
Why did you choose the RSCA project?
The conversations with Antoine Sibierski, whom I already knew from my time at Troyes, convinced me. He made me feel that the club really wanted me. I’m therefore very happy to be working with him again. On top of that, RSC Anderlecht is a big club with a rich history in Belgium and Europe. As I said, I’m very happy to be signing for this club.
How would you describe your playing style, Tawfik?
I think you could mainly describe me as a finisher who likes to play quickly and move forward. I like to play direct and attacking football and to be at the service of the team.
What are your biggest qualities on the pitch?
I hope I can help the team with my technical abilities, but as a striker, I obviously hope to contribute goals above all. That’s why I’m here.
What are your ambitions at RSCA?
When you think of Belgian football, you immediately think of RSC Anderlecht. Collectively, the ambition should therefore be to bring this club back to where it belongs by winning matches. That’s the most important thing. I hope I can contribute to that with my goals. My personal ambition is therefore to score as many as possible this season and help the team in every way I can.
What is your message to the fans?
I’m looking forward to meeting the supporters and playing my first game at the Lotto Park. I already can’t wait to celebrate my first goal with the fans, and I hope we can experience some great moments together.
