Algerian midfielder Sofiane Feghouli signs with Iraqi Premier League side Amanat Baghdad

Sofiane Feghouli has officially joined Amanat Baghdad, marking a significant move in the Iraqi Premier League’s summer transfer window.

The Algerian international midfielder, a 2019 Africa Cup of Nations champion, was unveiled by the Baghdad-based club following the agreement of a one-year contract with the option for an additional season. The move comes as Amanat Baghdad, recently promoted to Iraq’s top division, aims to boost its profile by bringing in experienced talent from across the region.

Feghouli, 35, had been without a club for several months before sealing the deal with the Iraqi outfit. His transfer represents not only a fresh chapter in his professional career but also a strategic milestone for Amanat Baghdad, who are looking to establish themselves in the Premier League after securing promotion.

The former Galatasaray and West Ham United player’s arrival in Iraq signals a shift in the club’s transfer policy, focused on recruiting seasoned professionals with top-level experience.

Feghouli, known for his creativity and technical skill, is expected to bring leadership to a young squad still adapting to life in the top flight.

His move has generated significant attention, especially as Amanat Baghdad has traditionally operated under the radar of major Middle Eastern clubs.

With Feghouli’s signing, the team hopes to elevate its status within Iraqi football and attract more high-profile names to the league.

Despite not officially announcing his retirement from international duty, Feghouli’s return to the Algerian national team appears unlikely. His focus now seems squarely on enjoying the final years of his playing career in a less pressurised environment.

Nevertheless, his wealth of experience, which includes stints in Spain, England, Turkey, and France, will be a valuable asset for Amanat Baghdad on and off the pitch.

Club officials have described the acquisition as a statement of intent. The midfielder joins a growing list of notable arrivals, following Tunisian forward Hamdi Labidi, who made the switch from Club Africain earlier this summer.

The back-to-back signings reflect a broader ambition from the club to compete not just for survival but for relevance in the increasingly competitive Iraqi Premier League.

Feghouli’s career has spanned over a decade at the highest level, featuring prominently for Valencia in La Liga and for Galatasaray in the Turkish Süper Lig, where he enjoyed both domestic and European campaigns.

His leadership qualities and professionalism have been widely praised throughout his career, and those attributes are expected to play a key role as Amanat Baghdad attempts to establish itself in unfamiliar territory.

As he begins this new chapter, all eyes will be on how the veteran midfielder adapts to the Iraqi football scene. For both Feghouli and Amanat Baghdad, this partnership offers a chance to make headlines in a league that is increasingly looking outward for influence and inspiration.