Hakim Ziyech set to arrive in Brazil to complete Botafogo move

Hakim Ziyech is due to arrive in Brazil on Tuesday to finalise his transfer to Botafogo, beginning a new chapter in the 33-year-old Morocco international’s career away from Europe, Africa and Asia.

The move has been completed in principle, according to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, with only the formal signing and announcement remaining. Ziyech will join Botafogo as a free agent after ending his short spell with Wydad Casablanca.

Romano confirmed the planned arrival in a post on X:

⚪️⚫️🇧🇷 Hakim Ziyech lands in Brazil on Tuesday to sign in as new Botafogo player, here we go!Deal completed and set to be signed after Moroccan star left Wydad Casablanca as free agent. 🇲🇦pic.twitter.com/7WkuLGYbTH

Ziyech’s departure from Wydad Casablanca left him without a club and allowed Botafogo to complete the agreement without paying a transfer fee. The Moroccan had only recently joined the Casablanca club and is now set to move to Brazil for the first time in his professional career.

French media reports say Ziyech initially showed some hesitation before accepting Botafogo’s proposal. He has now agreed to the move and is expected to sign a contract running until December 2028.

Botafogo hope the experienced forward can help improve their fortunes in the Brazilian league. The club are currently 13th in the table, with 30 points from 24 matches, and are relying on Ziyech’s experience at the highest level to help lift them from their difficult position.

The transfer represents an unexpected change of direction for Ziyech, who built his reputation during a career in European football. He began his rise with Twente before establishing himself at Ajax, where his performances earned him a move to Chelsea.

Ziyech later played for Galatasaray before returning to Morocco with Wydad Casablanca. His move to Botafogo will take him into a new footballing environment and represents his first experience of the Brazilian league.

Botafogo will hope the Moroccan can rediscover the form that made him one of the most influential attacking players in European football. The club are targeting an improvement in their results and believe his experience can provide an important boost as they attempt to move away from 13th place.

For Ziyech, the agreement offers an opportunity to revive his career in a different continent after a brief stay with Wydad Casablanca. Once the formalities are completed and the transfer is officially announced, he will begin his latest challenge with a contract that is set to keep him at Botafogo until the end of December 2028.