Moroccan international Hakim Ziyech has signed with Wydad Casablanca, marking a dramatic and surprising return to African club football.
The 32-year-old playmaker, who became a free agent after his stint with Qatar’s Al Duhail, penned a one-season deal with an option for an additional year.
The move comes as a shock, particularly after CFR Cluj had emerged as a potential frontrunner in Europe. However, Ziyech chose a homecoming, reportedly swayed by influential voices within Moroccan football and the presentation of an “ambitious sporting project that proved irresistible to the midfielder.”
Transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano confirmed the news, stating: “Hakim Ziyech to Wydad Casablanca, here we go! Moroccan star, back home as deal has been agreed today.”
Romano noted that Ziyech, available as a free agent, is “ready for new chapter at Wydad.” This decision defies typical expectations for a player of his calibre, prioritizing a return to his roots over a European prospect.