Morocco international Yahia Attiyat-Allah is nearing a final agreement with FC Sochi that would pave the way for his departure from the Russian club, as he seeks a return to Wydad Casablanca.
Despite Sochi’s recent promotion to Russia’s top flight, the 29-year-old left-back has made it clear he has no intention of continuing with the club. According to sources close to the negotiations, Attiyat-Allah has firmly expressed a desire to leave Russia and rejoin Wydad — the team where he previously enjoyed the most successful chapter of his career.
Talks between Wydad Casablanca and FC Sochi are said to be at an advanced stage. Wydad officials are negotiating to secure a release from the final year of the player’s contract and have reportedly offered a creative solution to ease the financial aspect of the deal. The Moroccan side is prepared to send two players from its current squad to Sochi in a part-exchange offer, aimed at reducing the overall cost of the transfer.
Attiyat-Allah had spent the second half of the previous season on loan at Egyptian giants Al Ahly. While there was initial interest in making the move permanent, head coach Jose Ribeiro opted against activating the purchase clause.
The Spanish tactician reportedly had reservations about the full-back’s performances, which ultimately led Al Ahly to let the Moroccan return to his parent club.
Wydad quickly moved to capitalise on the opportunity. Sources indicate that the club’s ambition to bring Attiyat-Allah back was further strengthened following the recent return of Yahya Jabrane to the Moroccan national team—another former Wydad mainstay and Attiyat-Allah’s close friend.
Attiyat-Allah began his professional journey with Olympique Safi in his hometown of Safi before rising to prominence with Wydad Casablanca. Known for his work ethic, explosive pace, and overlapping runs, he soon became a key figure at the club.
During his time at Wydad, he helped secure several major titles, including the Moroccan Botola Pro league and the CAF Champions League, solidifying his reputation as one of Africa’s most dynamic full-backs.
His standout performances on the domestic and continental stage earned him a regular spot in the Moroccan national team. Most notably, he was part of the squad that made history at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, where Morocco reached the semi-finals—the first African nation to do so.
After his international breakthrough, Attiyat-Allah made the move to Russia to join FC Sochi. However, his time in the Russian league proved brief and, ultimately, unsatisfying. A subsequent loan to Al Ahly offered a temporary escape, but with that opportunity now closed, a return to familiar surroundings in Casablanca appears to be his preferred path.
Though interest from Espérance de Tunis was reportedly serious, the defender’s heart seems set on reuniting with Wydad and reestablishing his place at the club that shaped his rise to stardom.
As discussions continue, both clubs are expected to finalise the terms in the coming days. Should the deal go through, Wydad would regain a seasoned campaigner eager to relive his past glories—and perhaps help lead the club to new ones.
