Beninese footballer Hassane Imourane, who recently made headlines with his loan move to Grasshoppers Club Zurich, has made an unexpected return to his home club, Loto-Popo FC. The announcement, made on September 23, 2024, left fans and supporters shocked, as they had been excited for his venture into Swiss football. The reason behind this abrupt return has now come to light, shedding more clarity on the surprising turn of events.
Reports suggest that the issue stems from an ongoing contractual dispute involving Egyptian Premier League side Modern Future FC.
The controversy surrounds claims made by the Egyptian club, which insists that Imourane had signed a four-year contract with them during his stay, a claim that the player has firmly denied.
Modern Future FC allegedly attempted to use this supposed contract as leverage to block Imourane’s transfer to Grasshoppers, escalating the situation to the point where legal action through FIFA was being considered.
This legal entanglement put Grasshoppers Club Zurich in a difficult position. Rather than becoming embroiled in the dispute, the Swiss club opted to terminate the contract they had signed with the 21-year-old midfielder just last month.
While this decision brings an end to Imourane’s brief tenure in Switzerland, it also leaves the talented player back at Loto-Popo FC, where he will now look to restart his career.
The saga has left many in the Beninese football community disappointed, particularly given the excitement that had built around Imourane’s move to a European club.
Grasshoppers Zurich, a club with a reputation for developing young talent, was seen as the perfect environment for Imourane to continue his growth.
Unfortunately, the contractual issues with Modern Future FC have thrown a wrench into those plans.
Imourane, a native of Savalou and currently valued at €100,000, is now faced with the challenge of rebuilding momentum at Loto-Popo FC.
His return to the Beninese side may be temporary, but for now, it is a necessary step to avoid further complications in his career.
As this story unfolds, it remains to be seen how the dispute with Modern Future FC will be resolved and whether Imourane will get another chance to showcase his talent on an international stage. For now, all eyes are on his next move as he seeks to put this setback behind him.
