Who Is Couhaib Driouech? Career and Key Facts

Quick Answer

Couhaib Driouech is a 24-year-old Moroccan professional footballer who plays as a forward or left winger for Eredivisie club PSV Eindhoven. Born in Haarlem, Netherlands, on April 17, 2002, he has progressed through Dutch football with stints at SC Heerenveen and Excelsior before joining PSV in July 2024.

As of August 2026, Driouech is the subject of active transfer negotiations with Scottish club Rangers, with PSV having left him out of a recent matchday squad amid an improved bid from the Ibrox side.

Key Facts

• Full name: Couhaib Driouech (Arabic: صهيب دريوش)
• Date of birth: April 17, 2002 (age 24)
• Place of birth: Haarlem, Netherlands
• Height: 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
• Position: Forward / Left winger
• Preferred foot: Left foot (per Sofascore data)
• Current club: PSV Eindhoven (squad number 11)
• International status: Represents Morocco; has played for Morocco U23, including at the 2023 CAF U23 Cup of Nations
• Senior career: Heerenveen (2020–2021, 5 apps), Excelsior (2021–2024, 85 apps, 12 goals), PSV (2024–present, 44 apps, 6 goals as of the reference date)
• Transfer situation (August 2026): Rangers have made an improved offer; Driouech was left out of PSV's squad for a match against Fortuna Sittard on August 8, 2026, due to negotiations
• Notable achievement: Scored his first UEFA Champions League goal on March 12, 2025, in the Round of 16 second leg against Arsenal

From Haarlem to the Eredivisie Driouech's Path Through Dutch Football

Couhaib Driouech's career trajectory is a familiar but nonetheless compelling story in Dutch football: a young player with Moroccan heritage, born in the Netherlands, working his way through the domestic pyramid before landing at one of the country's biggest clubs. Understanding where he came from helps explain why he is now attracting interest from abroad.

Early Years at Heerenveen

Driouech came through the youth ranks at SC Heerenveen, the Frisian club known for developing young attacking talent. He made his professional debut for the Eredivisie side on September 19, 2020, against Fortuna Sittard.

That appearance came as a stoppage-time substitute, replacing Arjen van der Heide in a 3–1 victory. It was a brief taste of top-flight football, but opportunities remained limited during his debut season.

Across the 2020–21 campaign, he made just five senior appearances without scoring. For a young winger needing regular minutes, the situation at Heerenveen was not ideal.

The club had a settled attacking unit, and Driouech was competing against more experienced players for a spot on the wing. The decision to move was a practical one.

Building a Reputation at Excelsior

On August 31, 2021, Driouech signed a three-year contract with Excelsior, a club based in Rotterdam that was competing in the Eerste Divisie, the second tier of Dutch football. This was a significant step down in terms of club prestige, but it was a move designed to provide something Heerenveen could not: consistent first-team football.

The gamble paid off. Over three seasons with Excelsior, Driouech made 85 league appearances and scored 12 goals.

Those numbers do not scream "top prospect," but they understate his contribution. As a left-sided forward, his value extended beyond goal output — his dribbling, ability to stretch defenses, and willingness to take on defenders made him a persistent threat.

Excelsior's promotion to the Eredivisie during his time there gave him the chance to prove he could perform at the top level of Dutch football on a weekly basis. By the end of his Excelsior spell, Driouech had established himself as one of the more exciting wide players outside the traditional Dutch top three.

It was only a matter of time before a bigger club came calling.

The PSV Chapter Breakthroughs and a Champions League Moment

Signing for the Eredivisie Powerhouse

On July 7, 2024, Driouech signed a five-year contract with PSV Eindhoven. This was the logical next step in his development.

PSV, one of the dominant forces in Dutch football alongside Ajax and Feyenoord, had identified him as a player who could add depth and dynamism to their attacking options. The move was not without its challenges.

At PSV, Driouech found himself in a squad with considerably more competition for places than he had faced at Excelsior. His first season involved a mix of starts and substitute appearances as he adapted to the demands of playing for a club competing in both domestic and European competitions.

The Champions League Moment

The defining moment of his PSV career to date came on March 12, 2025. In the second leg of the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 against Arsenal, Driouech scored his first goal in the competition.

It was a significant milestone — not just personally, but as a statement that he could perform on the biggest stage in European club football. That goal raised his profile considerably.

Scoring against a Premier League side in the knockout rounds of the Champions League is the kind of achievement that gets noticed by scouts across Europe. It is reasonable to assume that performances like this contributed to the interest now being shown by Rangers.

2025–26 Season Statistics

Based on Eredivisie match data available for the period covered by the reference material, Driouech's statistical profile at PSV shows a player who contributes across multiple attacking metrics. The data, which appears to cover a 28-match span, shows the following:

• Games played: 28 (5 starts, 23 substitute appearances)
• Minutes played: 927
• Goals: 4
• Assists: 6
• Shots: 29 (13 on target)
• Chances created: 20
• Successful dribbles: 9 out of 23 attempted (39% success rate)
• Passing accuracy: 80% overall, 70% in the opposition half
• Crosses: 39 attempted, 23% successful

These numbers paint a picture of a player who is still primarily used as an impact substitute — 23 of his 28 appearances came from the bench — but who produces when given minutes. Six assists in 927 minutes is a solid return, suggesting creativity and good decision-making in the final third.

His dribble success rate of 39% is modest, which may indicate that he is still refining his decision-making about when to take on defenders. It is worth noting that these figures may reflect a specific period of the 2025–26 season rather than his full PSV career.

Across all competitions, his overall PSV record stands at 44 appearances and 6 goals as of the reference date.

The Rangers Transfer Saga What's Happening Now

The Improved Bid

The most pressing storyline in Driouech's career as of August 2026 is his potential move to Rangers. The Scottish club has identified the Moroccan winger as one of its top transfer targets, and the pursuit has been intensifying through the summer transfer window.

According to reports from early August 2026, Rangers have tabled an improved offer for Driouech. This suggests that an initial bid was either rejected or deemed insufficient by PSV, and that Rangers remain determined to get a deal done.

The fact that they have come back with a better offer indicates a genuine commitment to signing the player rather than a speculative enquiry.

Left Out of the Squad A Telling Sign

Perhaps the most significant development came on August 8, 2026, when PSV faced Fortuna Sittard at home. Driouech was left out of the matchday squad entirely — not through injury or tactical reasons, but explicitly because of the ongoing negotiations over his future.

This is a well-established pattern in football transfers. When a player is the subject of active negotiations, clubs often choose to leave them out of the squad to protect both the player and the team.

There are practical reasons for this: an unhappy or distracted player can be a liability on the pitch, and there is always the risk of injury derailing a potential deal. By keeping Driouech out of the squad, PSV is signaling that they expect the transfer to progress.

The match itself ended in a 2–2 draw, with PSV conceding a late goal. It is impossible to say whether Driouech's absence affected the result, but it will not have helped PSV's attacking options.

What This Means for PSV

The reports indicate that PSV is already believed to be targeting a replacement for Driouech. This is a sensible approach — if a club knows a player is likely to leave, identifying and securing a successor before the transfer window closes is essential.

It also suggests that PSV has accepted, at least internally, that Driouech's departure is likely. From PSV's perspective, there is a balance to be struck.

Driouech is a useful squad player, but he is not an automatic starter — his 23 substitute appearances out of 28 games indicate that he is viewed primarily as an impact option. If Rangers are offering a fee that represents good value relative to his role in the squad, PSV may be inclined to accept rather than risk losing him for less later or having an unhappy player on their books.

What This Means for Rangers

For Rangers, signing Driouech would represent a statement of intent. The Scottish club has been rebuilding under its current management, and adding a player with Champions League experience and Eredivisie pedigree would strengthen their attacking options significantly.

Driouech's profile fits what many clubs in Rangers' position look for: he is young enough (24) to have resale value, experienced enough to contribute immediately, and has played at a level — the Eredivisie and Champions League — that should translate well to the Scottish Premiership. His ability to play on the left wing or as a forward gives the manager tactical flexibility.

The fact that Rangers have made an improved offer suggests they see this as a winnable pursuit. Whether PSV accepts remains to be seen, but the groundwork appears to be in place for a deal.

Player Profile Strengths, Style, and What to Expect

Playing Style

Driouech is a left-footed forward who operates primarily on the left wing. He is comfortable cutting inside onto his stronger foot, a trait that makes him dangerous in the half-spaces between the opposition's full-back and center-back.

His height — 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in) — is unremarkable for a winger, but he compensates with low center of gravity and quick acceleration. His statistics suggest a player who is more productive as a creator than a finisher.

The 2025–26 data showing 6 assists versus 4 goals in 28 appearances supports this assessment. He attempts a significant number of crosses — 39 in the covered period — but his success rate of 23% indicates that his delivery is still a work in progress.

This is not unusual for a young winger; crossing accuracy tends to improve with experience and repetition.

Strengths

• Versatility: Can play on either wing or as a forward, giving managers options in attack.
• Chance creation: 20 chances created in 28 games demonstrates an ability to find teammates in dangerous positions.
• Tireless running: His willingness to make repeated runs, often as a substitute, makes him a valuable late-game option.
• European experience: Having scored in the Champions League, he has proven he can perform under pressure.

Areas for Improvement

• End product: A 39% dribble success rate and 23% cross success rate suggest room for improvement in his final-ball decisions.
• Consistency: With 23 substitute appearances out of 28, he has yet to establish himself as a reliable 90-minute performer at the highest level.
• Goal output: Four goals in 28 games is a modest return for a player in his position, though his assist numbers partially compensate.

International Situation

Driouech is an international for Morocco, having represented the country at U23 level, including participation in the 2023 CAF U23 Cup of Nations. Born in the Netherlands to Moroccan heritage, he chose to represent his ancestral country rather than the nation of his birth.

This is a meaningful decision that reflects a broader trend of dual-nationality players choosing Morocco, a trend reinforced by the national team's strong recent performances on the world stage. A move to Rangers would not affect his international eligibility, and regular first-team football could actually enhance his chances of senior international recognition.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Couhaib Driouech actually joining Rangers?

As of August 10, 2026, negotiations are ongoing. Rangers have made an improved offer, and Driouech was left out of PSV's squad on August 8, 2026, due to the transfer talks.

No deal has been officially confirmed. The situation is developing, and a resolution is expected in the near term.

How much is Couhaib Driouech worth?

The reference material does not include specific transfer fee figures or market value data. Transfermarkt, a common source for such information, was temporarily unavailable during the collection of reference data.

Based on publicly available information, Driouech is a 24-year-old forward with Eredivisie and Champions League experience under contract at PSV, which suggests a fee in a range appropriate for a player of his profile — but specific numbers require verification with official sources.

What position does Couhaib Driouech play?

Driouech is primarily a left winger, but he is also capable of playing as a forward. The reference material describes him as a "forward" (Wikipedia) and a "left winger" (FotMob).

He is left-footed, which makes him naturally suited to the left flank where he can cut inside.

Has Couhaib Driouech played in the Champions League?

Yes. He scored his first UEFA Champions League goal on March 12, 2025, in the second leg of the Round of 16 tie against Arsenal.

This was a notable achievement and raised his profile in European football.

Where was Couhaib Driouech born?

He was born in Haarlem, Netherlands, on April 17, 2002. Despite being born in the Netherlands, he represents Morocco internationally, having played for Morocco's U23 team, including at the 2023 CAF U23 Cup of Nations.

Reference Notes

Information in this article is based on publicly available sources. Some details may change over time.

Verify with official sources before acting. Specific transfer fees, contract terms, and future club decisions were not available in the reference material and should be confirmed through official club announcements or reputable transfer reporting closer to the time of any deal.