Ilyes Housni restarts his career at Nancy and finds his attacking spark

By the PSG News newsroom · Published on 2026-10-16 · Updated on 2026-10-16 · ilyes housni · as nancy-lorraine · psg · league 2

The 21-year-old forward trained at Paris Saint-Germain has relaunched his career with AS Nancy-Lorraine after unconvincing loans, posting a more compelling start to the Ligue 2 season.

Ilyes Housni, a 21-year-old forward formed at Paris Saint-Germain, has found a new start with AS Nancy-Lorraine after seasons of struggle marked by unconvincing loans and a spell with PSG's U23 squad.

parcours and expectations

Recruited into PSG's top-tier youth ranks, Ilyes Housni caught the eye notably in the Youth League 2022/2023, scoring eight goals and delivering three assists in seven matches. He signed his first professional contract in December 2022 and had brief appearances with the first team: four minutes against Châteauroux on January 6, 2023, and ten minutes against Monaco on February 11, 2023.

After these beginnings, his trajectory hit some bumps. Housni was loaned to Qatari club Al-Sadd where he played six matches and scored one goal. Back in France, he was loaned to Le Havre where he totaled thirteen appearances and three starts, without finding the back of the net or delivering a decisive pass. Having become a squad fringe player at PSG, he then featured for PSG's U23 press team before leaving on a free transfer this summer.

a tailored recruit and early signs at Nancy

Free to sign in July 2026, Ilyes Housni chose AS Nancy-Lorraine, a club kept in Ligue 2 last season and seeking an offensive solution. Nancy, which posted limited attacking output last season (35 goals, its top scorer with six), made the 21-year-old forward the third summer addition in a long-term project: Housni signed for the next three seasons.

After a quiet start during the first six matchdays, Housni opened his account on September 18, 2026 against Rodez, just before the international break. This goal marks a first notable satisfaction after a period of uncertainty: he returns from years shaped by indifferent loans and limited professional playing time.

profile and outlook

Formed at Paris Saint-Germain, a Moroccan hopeful international and former member of the U17/U18 generation, Ilyes Housni is described as a forward still in a post-formation phase who must improve several aspects of his game to reach consistency. His success at Nancy hinges as much on the fit between his profile and the club's project as on the Lorriain side’s offensive situation, which was seeking solutions to boost its goalscoring.

List of essential facts cited in the article: - Youth League 2022/2023: 8 goals, 3 assists in 7 matches for Ilyes Housni. - Professional beginnings: contract signed in December 2022, 4 minutes against Châteauroux on January 6, 2023, 10 minutes against Monaco on February 11, 2023. - Loans: Al-Sadd (6 matches, 1 goal), Le Havre (13 matches, 3 starts, 0 goals, 0 assists). - Signing with AS Nancy-Lorraine for three seasons, arrived on a free in summer 2026. - League 2 opening account: goal against Rodez on September 18, 2026.

FAQ

• Who is Ilyes Housni? Ilyes Housni is a 21-year-old forward developed at Paris Saint-Germain, a Moroccan hopeful international, signed by AS Nancy-Lorraine for three seasons.

• What was his journey before Nancy? He turned professional at PSG in December 2022, was loaned to Al-Sadd (6 matches, 1 goal) then to Le Havre (13 matches, 3 starts, no goals), and then played for PSG’s U23 squad before leaving on a free transfer.

• When did he score for Nancy? Ilyes Housni scored his first Ligue 2 goal for Nancy on September 18, 2026, against Rodez.

Poll

Question: Do you think Ilyes Housni can become a key player again at Nancy? Options: - Yes, he has the profile to establish himself - Not yet, he needs to confirm - No, too many uncertainties