Yassine Benzia emerges as NK Maribor target after Al-Fayha departure

Algerian midfielder Yassine Benzia, who is currently without a club, has been linked with a move to Slovenia’s NK Maribor.

The 31-year-old attacking midfielder left Saudi Pro League side Al-Fayha on 1 July 2026 and is now being associated with Maribor, who play in Slovenia’s Prva Liga. The move remains a rumour and has not been confirmed by either club or the player.

Benzia joined Al-Fayha from Qarabag in August 2025 on a free transfer, following a spell in which he helped the Azerbaijani club win three successive league titles between 2022-23 and 2024-25. He also won the Azerbaijani Cup with Qarabag in 2023-24.

His record in Azerbaijan’s top flight includes 62 appearances, 19 goals and 15 assists. Across his career, Benzia has also made 131 Ligue 1 appearances, scoring 15 goals and providing 13 assists.

Born in Saint-Aubin-les-Elbeuf, France, Benzia has represented both Algeria and France at international level. He began his senior career with Lyon before moving to Lille in 2015, and later had loan spells with Fenerbahce and Olympiacos.

Benzia’s current market value is listed at €900,000. He remains without a club as of 5 August 2026, with NK Maribor the latest side linked with his next move.