Monaco has officially announced that four youth academy players born in 2008 – Safouane Benzahra, Najid Ajelroud, Nahël Haddaoui, and Melvin Gomes-Da Veiga – have signed their first professional contracts with the club, running until June 30, 2029. Last season, they reached the semi-finals of the French U19 Championship with the U19 team coached by Frédéric Barilaro.

Safouane Benzahra was born on August 18, 2008, in Breda, Netherlands, and joined the Monaco academy in the summer of 2024 from Breda. Last season, playing as an attacking midfielder for the U19 team, he quickly established himself, scoring 8 goals in 16 appearances.

Benzahra participated in the first team's pre-season preparations this summer, featuring in several friendlies before making his official first-team debut in the UEFA Europa Conference League play-off first leg against Górnik Zabrze. He also played in the 4-1 victory in the second leg at Stade Louis II.

Benzahra made his Ligue 1 debut in Monaco's 2-1 away win against PSG. He has represented Morocco's U17 and U18 national teams and was recently called up to the Morocco U20 national team alongside teammate Ilyes Benmokhtar.

Najid Ajelroud was born on January 16, 2008, in Grasse, and joined Monaco at the age of 12. After two seasons with the association, the left-footed attacking midfielder entered the academy in 2023, joining the U17 team coached by Manu Dos Santos.

Last season, Ajelroud impressed with the U19 team, contributing 10 goals and 10 assists in 33 appearances. He also made an impact in the UEFA Youth League, playing a role in victories against Bodø/Glimt, Pafos, and Galatasaray.

Ajelroud joined the first team for pre-season preparations this summer under the guidance of Filipe Luís, featuring in friendlies against Sporting CP and Cercle Brugge. He is currently continuing his development with the Elite team coached by Denis Schmidt, scoring in the Espoirs Challenge opener against Lens and in the victory over Nice. Thanks to his outstanding performances, he received his first call-up to the France U19 national team during this international break.

Nahël Haddaoui was born on December 14, 2008, in Mende, and joined Monaco in the summer of 2024 from Union Saint-Clément Montferrier. The forward had scored 22 goals in the French U17 National Championship in his final season in the Hérault region.

In his first season in the red and white shirt, Haddaoui continued to showcase his attacking talent, scoring 14 goals in 22 appearances for Barilaro's U19 team. As a Monaco U17 international, he also reached the quarter-finals of the 2024 FIFA U17 World Cup with the Monaco U17 national team, netting 3 goals and providing 1 assist.

Haddaoui is currently continuing his development with Schmidt's Elite team, and like Ajelroud, he featured in the victories against Lens and Nice.

Melvin Gomes-Da Veiga was born on March 26, 2008, in Marseille, and joined Monaco in the summer of 2023 from Athletic Club d'Eyragues. The player, who can operate as both a right-back and a centre-back, has steadily progressed through the academy, making nearly 50 appearances for the club's U17 and U19 teams.

In the 2025-26 season, Gomes-Da Veiga made almost 20 appearances for the U19 team and participated in the UEFA Youth League. On the international stage, he received his first call-up to the France U18 national team last season and immediately scored on his debut against England. In March this year, he also represented France U18 in three matches during the Elite Round of the U19 European Championship. He is currently also developing with Schmidt's Elite team.

Monaco wishes Safouane, Najid, Nahël, and Melvin all the best in their careers with the club.

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