Al Gharafa sign Ismael Bennacer on free transfer before Al Hilal opener

Al Gharafa have announced the signing of Algeria midfielder Ismael Bennacer, just 24 hours before their AFC Champions League Elite campaign begins against Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal.

Al Hilal will host Al Gharafa at Kingdom Arena on Tuesday in the opening round of the league phase of the Asian competition.

Al Gharafa confirmed the arrival of Bennacer in a video posted on the club’s official account on X on Monday, a day before the meeting in Riyadh. The 28-year-old will join the Qatari club on a free transfer and has been given the number 10 shirt.

The move follows the termination of Bennacer’s contract by AC Milan in August. It brings an end to a period in which the midfielder spent one and a half seasons away from the Italian club, having been sent out on loan to Olympique de Marseille and then Dinamo Zagreb.

Bennacer’s spells with the two clubs were intended to help him regain his form and secure regular playing time away from San Siro. However, he was unable to return to his best level during that period.

His absence from Algeria’s squad for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico was subsequently confirmed by national team manager Vladimir Petkovic.

Bennacer began his latest chapter in Qatar with Al Gharafa’s announcement shortly before the club’s first league-phase fixture in the AFC Champions League Elite. The match will see his new side face Al Hilal at Kingdom Arena on Tuesday.