Morocco defender Amine Atouchi retires after spell without a club

Morocco centre-back Amine Atouchi has brought his playing career to a close, moving from free agency into retirement on 20 September 2026.

The 34-year-old had been without a club since leaving Saudi Arabian side Al-Adalah at the end of the 2024-25 season. His final recorded move before retirement was a free transfer to Al-Adalah from fellow Saudi club Al-Batin in August 2024.

Atouchi played primarily as a right-footed central defender and spent much of the latter part of his career in the Gulf region. Before joining Al-Adalah, he represented Al-Batin, Abha and Al-Dhafra FC, with all three moves recorded as free transfers apart from his switch from Al-Dhafra to Abha.

His senior career began with Wydad Casablanca, where he progressed from the club’s reserve side before establishing himself with the first team in 2012. The Casablanca-born defender went on to make 118 appearances in Morocco’s Botola Pro Inwi, scoring eight goals and providing five assists.

Atouchi also accumulated 104 appearances in the Saudi Pro League and 47 in the Saudi First Division League. His career included spells in the United Arab Emirates, where he played for Al-Dhafra, as well as appearances in continental competition with Wydad.

The defender’s most successful period came at Wydad, where he won the Moroccan championship twice, in the 2014-15 and 2016-17 seasons. He also lifted the 2016-17 CAF Champions League and added the CAF Super Cup in 2017-18.

Atouchi’s continental record included 22 CAF Champions League appearances and one goal. He also featured in the CAF Super Cup and Club World Cup during his time with Wydad.

His final club statistics included 330 appearances across the competitions recorded during his career, along with 22 goals. He also registered 10 assists in the Botola Pro Inwi, Saudi Pro League and Saudi First Division League.

Atouchi’s market value was recorded at €200,000 at the time his status changed, compared with a career high of €1m. He has now formally moved into retirement after more than a decade of senior football, ending his playing career on 20 September 2026.