Scout Report – Ouasim Bouy
Leeds United have completed another summer transfer, after they signed former Juventus player Ouasim Bouy, only to loan him out to Spanish second division side Cultural Leonesa immediately after (BBC Sport).
The 24-year old had spent last season away from Juventus on loan, spending the first-half of the season with Italian side Palermo and the second-half with Dutch club PEC Zwolle. Upon returning to the club at the end of the season, the Italian champions decided to release him and Leeds have signed the versatile midfielder on a four-year deal and have sent him out on a temporary spell to Spain.
Here, we bring you the lowdown on Leeds’ latest transfer of the summer.
Footballing Background
Born on 11 June, 1993, in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Bouy started off his footballing journey with the academy of AVV Zeeburgian, whom he joined in 1999. Having been there until 2008, he was captured by the academy of Dutch giants AFC Ajax. Having been with the club’s academy for three years, he was released by the club in January 2012, only to be signed by Juventus.
Having spent the rest of that season with the Juventus youth side, he was loaned out to Brescia the following season, for whom he played on 17 occasions in the Serie B. In the 2013/14 season, he was with Juventus for the first-half of the season, before being loaned out to Hamburg in January where he played 4 times only.
Next season, another loan spell followed with Greek club Panathinaikos, after which he spent a year with Dutch side PEC Zwolle in the 2015/16 campaign. Last season, he had two spells with Palermo and Zwolle. The 24-year old played only 4 times for Palermo with no goals/assists and 13 times for Zwolle registering 2 assists only.
He will be playing with Leonesa, who got promoted to the Spanish second division for the upcoming campaign. Bouy has represented the Netherlands U15, U17 and the U19s side till date.
Style Of Play
A central midfielder primarily, he can play in a number of positions – as a wide midfielder or as a holding midfielder too. Last season, he was utilised as a centre-back by PEC Zwolle.
Not the biggest in terms of physicality, Bouy isn’t very good in the air but has a sound technical ability, and also possesses a good range of distribution. He is also good with the ball at his feet and can run at oppositions at a decent pace as well. A big feature of his game-play is that he likes to sit deep and spray balls upfield for his more attack-minded teammates to chase them down and have a crack at goal. The 24-year old also likes to take a hit at goal from distance, every now and then.
What Does The Future Hold?
Regarded as a bright talent during his youth days, Bouy’s career hasn’t taken the path that was expected. After a series of unsuccessful loan spells, he will look to get his career back on track with Leonesa. Leeds will be watching with intent as to how his season takes shape in Spain, depending on which they might take a call over his future next season.