Bilal El Khannouss

Full Name:
Bilal El Khannouss
Date of Birth:
Monday 10 May 2004
Nationality:

Belgian born Morocco attacking midfielder, emerging playmaker

Bilal El Khannouss has established himself as a compact, creative presence in midfield and is a compelling figure for collectors of modern football memorabilia. First rising to wider attention as a teenager, he is noted for his close ball control and vision which translate well both on the pitch and into the provenance story behind authenticated items. Walkouts fans and memorabilia specialists value pieces linked to key moments in his early career, such as his Genk breakthrough and World Cup debut, for traceable provenance and narrative appeal.

El Khannouss began his youth football at R.S.C. Anderlecht before moving to K.R.C. Genk in 2019. He signed his first professional contract on 24 July 2020, and made his senior league debut for Genk on 21 May 2022. Those formative seasons in Genk's academy and first team set the foundations for his technical game, and items from this period, such as match-worn shirts and early autograph cards, often carry strong provenance connecting them to his emergence.

His breakthrough continued with individual recognition and transfer interest. On 1 November 2023 he was nominated for the 2023 African Young Player of the Year award. A significant step in his club career came when he signed for Leicester City on 29 August 2024 on a four year deal. He made his debut for Leicester on 31 August 2024, recorded his first start on 21 September 2024, and scored his first goal for the club on 3 December 2024. He joined VfB Stuttgart on loan on 1 September 2025. Collectors often prioritise authenticated autographs and signed shirts tied to these milestone dates because they anchor an item to a documented moment in a player's career.

On the international stage El Khannouss, born in Belgium of Moroccan descent, switched his international allegiance and was selected by Morocco for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. He was named in the 26 man squad on 10 November 2022 and made his senior international debut on 17 December 2022 in the third place play off. He was part of the Morocco U23 squad that won the U-23 Africa Cup of Nations 2023 and helped secure qualification for the 2024 Summer Olympics, where the team took home the bronze medal.

His honours and awards, including the U-23 Africa Cup of Nations 2023, Summer Olympics Bronze Medal 2024, and domestic individual prizes such as the Belgian Golden Shoe Best Young Player 2022 and 2024, add tangible provenance to memorabilia. When an item can be directly associated with a trophy season, a World Cup appearance, or an award year, its collectible narrative becomes stronger and more desirable to enthusiasts seeking authenticated merchandise and signed shirt pieces.

On the field El Khannouss is praised for his tight ball control, agility and ability to play incisive defence splitting passes. These qualities make match worn garments and authenticated autographs from his formative seasons particularly appealing for collectors who value both performance context and verifiable provenance.

Looking ahead, Bilal El Khannouss remains a compelling name for both fans and collectors. For those building collections of contemporary stars, pieces tied to his Genk rise, Leicester milestones and Morocco World Cup debut form a clear provenance chain. As his career progresses, Walkouts will continue to document authenticated memorabilia and signed shirts, preserving the story behind each collectible as part of his unfolding legacy.