HNK Hajduk Split has found a replacement for the departed Rokas Pukštas by signing midfielder Khalil Fayad from Montpellier. According to a report by Gol.hr, the young French player is joining the Croatian club after his former team was relegated to Ligue 2.
Fayad, born on 9 June 2004, arrives at Poljud holding both French and Moroccan citizenship. He stands 172 cm tall and is right-footed. He signed his first professional contract in 2022, making his debut for Montpellier against PSG on 13 August of that year. During his career in France, he made 67 Ligue 1 appearances and 20 in Ligue 2, and also represented France at U-18, U-19, and U-20 youth levels.
Who is Khalil Fayad?
Khalil Fayad is a central midfielder who brings experience from one of Europe's top leagues. At 22 years old, he already has over 80 official appearances for Montpellier, including his debut against Paris Saint-Germain. For the French youth national teams, he earned 16 caps: six for the U-18s, seven for the U-19s, and three for the U-20s. His arrival at Poljud comes as Hajduk sits fourth in the HNL with 7 points from four matches. The team's recent form is WWDL, having scored nine goals while conceding five.
Why was Hajduk looking for a new midfielder?
The departure of Rokas Pukštas to England left a gap in Hajduk's midfield as the club competes in the Conference League. The club, according to sources, has been seeking a suitable replacement for some time. Although Spanish side Almeria and Polish club Widzew were also interested in Fayad, the player decided to accept the offer from Split. This move is part of a broader plan to strengthen the squad for the remainder of the season.
How does Fayad fit into the current squad?
The arrival of the young Frenchman should add further quality to Hajduk's midfield. Manager Ivan Leko now has more options for his lineup, especially considering the demands of competing domestically and in Europe. Fayad's distribution ability and experience from the French league could prove very useful. You can follow the squad's composition on our squad page. Hajduk currently trails leaders NK Osijek by five points, meaning any new signings must contribute immediately.
What comes next after this transfer?
According to Gol.hr, Hajduk is still preparing to sign another midfielder, with the name Gonzalo Garcia also mentioned in connection with these operations. The next test for the reinforced team will be an away match against Rudes on 6 September 2026. Rudes is currently eighth in the table. Details of all upcoming fixtures can be found on our fixtures page. Hajduk will aim to use this transfer to strengthen their league position and advance in European competitions. The current goal difference and statistics can be analyzed in more detail on the stats page.
