Sporting Braga secure signing of Moroccan goalkeeper Alaa Bellaarouch from Strasbourg

This move signals Braga's intent to strengthen their squad, particularly in the goalkeeping department, as they prepare for the upcoming Portuguese Primeira Liga season, Moroccoworldnews.com reported.

Though the club has kept the exact terms of the deal under wraps, Portuguese sports daily A Bola reports that Braga have agreed to pay approximately 300,000 dollars for 50% of Bellaarouch's economic rights.

The 23-year-old is set to sign a long-term contract that will keep him at Braga until 2030, reflecting the club's confidence in his potential.

Bellaarouch's journey so far has been one of promise interrupted by setbacks. After a breakthrough 2023-24 season where he made 19 appearances in France's top division, the young goalkeeper's progress was stalled by pubic bone inflammation - a painful injury that sidelined him for much of the recent campaign.

Consequently, he was limited to just three appearances for Strasbourg's reserve side, which hampered his ability to build on his earlier momentum.

For Braga, signing Bellaarouch represents a calculated gamble. The club is searching for a successor to long-serving first-choice goalkeeper Matheus Magalhães, who has been a reliable presence between the sticks for several seasons.

The Portuguese side believes Bellaarouch's experience at a high level, combined with his youth and potential, could make him a worthy candidate to eventually take over the No. 1 spot.

Head coach Carlos Carvalhal has indicated that he plans to start the new season with promising Czech goalkeeper Lukas Hornicek as Braga's first-choice shot-stopper.

This strategy allows the club to gradually ease Bellaarouch into the team, giving him time to regain full fitness and confidence following his injury troubles.

The goalkeeping department will also feature the experienced Tiago Sa, who provides additional competition and mentorship. Meanwhile, Braga's young Portugal Under-21 international goalkeeper, Joao Carvalho, is expected to be loaned out to gain valuable first-team experience elsewhere, a common practice designed to accelerate development.