The 22-year-old midfielder joins the Croatian club on a three-year contract for a reported fee of 250 tisuća eura, bringing valuable experience from the French top flight to the Adriatic coast.
A Quick Deal and Fierce Competition
Hajduk Split secured the signature of the young midfielder at the last moment, overcoming interest from other clubs across Europe. Reports from French journalist Mohamed Toubache-Ter noted that Montpellier had previously reached agreements with Polish side Widzew Łódź and Spanish club Almería before the player ultimately decided to move to Split.
Fayad expressed enthusiasm about his arrival, noting that everything materialized swiftly over the course of a weekend. “Everything about the transfer happened very fast, on Sunday I wasn’t sure where my next destination would be, but after talking with people from Hajduk I decided to come here,” Fayad said in statements released during his presentation. He also credited former France youth teammate Mathieu Acapandie with helping convince him to make the move, explaining that Acapandie spoke highly of the club, its supporters, and the overall atmosphere in Split.
Profile, Position, and Playing Style
Born on June 9, 2004, in Montpellier, Fayad stands 172 centimeters tall and operates primarily as a central midfielder, commonly referred to as an “osmica” or number eight, though he is capable of filling defensive and attacking midfield roles. Known for his right foot, he brings strong passing range, vision, and the technical ability to receive the ball between opposing defensive lines.
Throughout his development in Montpellier’s youth academy—which he joined as a child before signing his first professional contract in March 2022—coaches highlighted his proficiency in ball progression and set-piece execution. Transfermarkt currently values the midfielder, and his arrival gives Hajduk a technically proficient option for both domestic league fixtures and the league phase of the UEFA Conference League.
Experience in French Professional Football
Fayad departs Montpellier having amassed 94 official appearances for the club’s senior team, scoring four goals. He made his Ligue 1 debut as an 18-year-old in August 2022 against Paris Saint-Germain at the Parc des Princes. He went on to make 24 league appearances in his debut campaign, followed by 23 appearances the next season and 20 matches during the 2024–25 season.
Following Montpellier’s relegation, Fayad featured 20 times in Ligue 2 during the subsequent campaign, contributing one goal and one assist. In addition to his club experience, he has represented France across various youth levels, earning 16 total caps, which includes six appearances and one goal for the Under-18 squad, seven for the Under-19 team, and three for the Under-20 side.
What Comes Next for Fayad and Hajduk
Fayad is set to join first-team training immediately, wearing the number 8 shirt for his new club. His integration into the squad comes as Hajduk navigates a busy schedule combining domestic league action in the HNL with European commitments in the Conference League.
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