CD Leganes Takes In Abzi On Loan – With Option To Buy

Diyaeddine Abzi is on the move in Europe, trading the river shores of Gave de Pau for the bustling Spanish city of Madrid.

As confirmed today, French Ligue 2 side Pau FC has loaned the former York United left-back to CD Leganes of Spain’s second division.

The season-long move comes with an option for CD Leganes to purchase the feisty full-back at the end of the 2023-2024 Segunda Division season.

That’s something that York United will be keen to follow, with his former Canadian side having transferred him to Pau on a deal that included both a transfer fee and a 25% sell-on clause.

The Morocco-born athlete had developed in Montreal with Quebecois side Salaberry before transitioning to AS Blainville. With the arrival of the CPL, he was recruited by the Nine Stripes and transitioned into a full-back role from his previous midfield position.

It didn’t take him long to explode onto the scene, with his first professional season seeing him accrue some thirty appearances, contributing one goal and four assists. After impressing in the shortened Island Games season, he earned a Canada U-23 nod and made his international youth debut against Mexico.

He remained integral to the club under Jim Brennan’s final season in 2021, racking up 28 appearances and finished as the club’s joint top-goalscorer after a six-goal season. Having left mid-season the following year, he made a further thirteen appearances before testing himself in Europe.

His introduction to French football saw him land strongly, with the left-back contributing two goals and two assists in 32 matches as Pau – sometimes as a left winger, but mostly in his now-familiar left-back position.

Abzi Reflects On Pau Transfer: ‘I Made A Big Leap In Level’

Abzi’s loan stint with CD Leganes begins today, with the Canadian-Moroccan left-back set to don the number four in Madrid. His stay at Estadio Municipal de Butarque comes after the club finished fourteenth last season.

The former York United left-back will be unveiled to media on Thursday, August 17.