Hakim Ziyech welcomed by Botafogo fans in Brazil ahead of transfer

Hakim Ziyech has arrived in Rio de Janeiro to complete his move to Brazilian club Botafogo, receiving a warm welcome from supporters who greeted the Morocco international in Arabic outside the airport.

The 33-year-old landed at Galeao International Airport on Wednesday evening after agreeing to join Botafogo as a free agent. He had ended his contract with Moroccan club Wydad before arranging the move to Brazil.

Botafogo’s director of football, Leo Coelho, was at the airport to meet Ziyech, who emerged wearing a club scarf and carrying a Botafogo flag. The former Chelsea and Ajax player posed for photographs inside the main terminal before going outside to meet supporters of his new team.

Around 100 Botafogo fans gathered outside the airport to welcome the experienced winger. In one particularly striking moment, they chanted “Salamaleyko” – a Portuguese rendering of “As-salamu alaykum”, the traditional Arabic greeting.

The supporters also sang a chant dedicated to the player, repeating “Ziyech has arrived” as they celebrated his arrival. The welcome was reported by Globo and ESPN Brazil.

Speaking for the first time to Botafogo’s official channel, Ziyech said: “Everything went well. The journey was a little long, but it was comfortable. I am very excited. This is my first visit to Brazil, but it was always something I wished for. Now it has become reality.”

He added: “Brazil is number one in the world of football. It is the way of life here, something that touches my heart and I am eager to experience.”

Ziyech is expected to undergo a medical examination at Botafogo’s Lonier training centre on Wednesday before signing a contract running until December 2028.

His move to Brazil follows a career largely spent in European football. Ziyech played for Ajax from 2016 to 2020, Chelsea between 2020 and 2023, and Galatasaray from 2023 to 2025. He later returned to Morocco to join Wydad before making the switch to Botafogo.

The attacking midfielder has represented Morocco at two World Cups, appearing at the 2018 tournament in Russia and the 2022 finals in Qatar.

He was one of the key figures in Morocco’s historic run in Qatar, when they became the first African side to reach a World Cup semi-final. Their progress to the last four made them the first team from the continent to achieve that milestone.

The move gives Ziyech a new challenge in Brazil, where he will now continue his career with Botafogo after a high-profile welcome from the club’s supporters.