Raised in the rough-and-tumble community of Hässelby, in Stockholm, Sweden, 21-year-old Amin Boudri (Ammen BOO-dree) is still mastering English, but doesn’t need any help with his self-belief.
Boudri is a slick ball handler and shot creator whose stock rose last year following a second stellar season in Sweden’s first division, which inspired LAFC to sign him in January as a U22 Initiative player on a contract that runs through 2029.
In addition to being the first Swedish player to appear on an LAFC roster, Boudri is also the club’s first player of Moroccan descent. Although soft-spoken and polite, he is already among the Black & Gold’s all-time leaders in swagger.
The streets of Hässelby taught him the game, but his professional development came in the youth academy of Stockholm-based club AIK, and at another Swedish club, Brommapojkarna, home of the largest youth development system in Europe. From there Boudri departed for the youth program at Italian Serie A club Venezia FC, where he moved when he was just 16. Boudri made his professional debut in early 2024 (for club GAIS in Sweden’s top division, Allsvenskan), and debuted for his country later that year as a member of Sweden’s U-21 side.
Before his eye-opening home debut on Feb. 24, Boudri sat down with LAFC.com to discuss his arrival in Los Angeles.
LAFC.COM: What were your expectations before coming to LAFC, and now that you've been here, what have you seen?
BOUDRI: Big city, big stadium, good fans. A lot of things to do. And a lot of sun.
LAFC.COM: A lot of sun, is that good or bad?
BOUDRI: Oh, good, good. Really good.
LAFC.COM: How would you describe yourself as a player?
BOUDRI: Creative, passionate, confident. Doing what know I can do.
LAFC.COM: What are you most excited about in joining this club?
BOUDRI: The fans, playing at the stadium in front of the fans. Knowing what it means.
LAFC.COM: What do you imagine playing a home game at BMO Stadium is like?
BOUDRI: Oh, I've seen some clips. I've seen that it's serious, like, the fans are great.
LAFC.COM: Now that you've spent some time at the training facility, how's the group, how are you feeling, how's the level?
BOUDRI The group is top, the level is high quality. Everything's good.
LAFC.COM: Did you ever imagine you’d be on the same team with guys like Son and Hugo Lloris and Denis Bouanga and these guys?
BOUDRI: Yeah. At some point, yes.
LAFC.COM: And how does it feel right now to be a part of this group?
BOUDRI: It's really good. I have a lot to learn and I will have fun learning.
LAFC.COM: What convinced you to make the move to LAFC?
BOUDRI: Wow, everything. The club, the city, mostly the fans. I love the fans. And there are great players here, a good coach. Everything seems so good.
LAFC.COM: Is there a player that you watched growing up that you compare yourself to, an attacker, a midfielder?
BOUDRI No. I never watched football like that. I like to play, not watch.
LAFC.COM: What's the significance of your number? 65.
BOUDRI: It's my neighborhood. That's where I'm from. I’m from Hässelby, we call it 65. [The postal code in Hässelby is 165.] That's why I have this number. For Hässelby, Stockholm, Sweden.
LAFC. COM: Did you have that number at your previous club as well?
BOUDRI: No.
LAFC. COM: So you just want to represent here in LA?
BOUDRI: Exactly.
Instagram: @aminboudr10
