Leeds United defender Sebastiaan Bornauw has revealed how his early years in Morocco were essential to the man he is today.

Bornauw is currently on loan at HSV Hamburg in Germany after leaving Leeds in the summer transfer window.

The centre-back moved to Elland Road in 2025 from Wolfsburg but failed to settle under Daniel Farke. After a big summer improving the defence with signings such as Tariq Muharemovic, he then found himself surplus to requirements.

Thus, he headed back to Germany, where he is hoping to get the regular playing time that wasn’t on offer to him in England.

Bundesliga return

The Bundesliga is a familiar place for him after previously playing for Koln and Wolfsburg in the division.

He joined Koln in 2019 from Anderlecht before then heading to Wolfsburg in 2021. Four years there preceded his move to Leeds.

He is actually a product of Anderlecht’s youth system, joining them in 2008 before progressing via the various levels and then making 29 appearances in the first team.

But it is neither the Belgian club nor the likes of Wolfsburg – where he made 96 appearances – that he considers as essential to his development. Instead, that honour belongs to Wydad AC and, Morocco in general.

“I lived in Morocco from the age of six to eight. My father was working in Casablanca at the time,” he said.

“It was perhaps the most formative period of my life, as I learned many important things there.

“Social life there was very vibrant. Sometimes ten friends would come over to our home for a meal; the next day, those same ten friends would be hosted by another family. I have a great love for Morocco.”

Casablanca or Wolfsburg?

The question now is whether Bornauw can re-establish himself at Hamburg as intended. With seven appearances to his name already, that certainly appears to be happening.

He’s certainly enjoying life at the German club. Sport Witness reported comments from him last week about Hamburg was the best city in Europe.

Whether he thinks that extends to the world, though, is up for debate. Afterall, it seems Casablanca holds a particularly fond piece of his heart.