Abdelmounaim Boutouil: Morocco defender leaves Al-Hazem and becomes free agent

Morocco centre-back Abdelmounaim Boutouil has left Saudi Pro League side Al-Hazem and is now a free agent after his departure was finalised on 26 July 2026. The 28-year-old, who is left-footed and stands at 1.86m, will now assess his options following the end of his spell with the Saudi club.

Boutouil moves on with a reputation as a serial winner at domestic and continental level. He was part of the Mamelodi Sundowns side that dominated South African football, winning back-to-back league titles in 2022-23 and 2023-24 and lifting the inaugural African Football League in the 2023-24 campaign. His success in South Africa followed a prolific spell in Belgium’s second tier with Union Saint-Gilloise.

The defender helped Union Saint-Gilloise secure promotion to the Belgian top flight in 2020-21 and was crowned Belgian Second League champion in the same season. That year also brought international honours as he played his part in Morocco’s triumph at the 2020-21 African Nations Championship, further underlining his experience in high-stakes competition.

Born in Benslimane on 9 January 1998, Boutouil has combined height and left-footed balance to operate primarily as a central defender throughout his professional career. His recent club and international successes suggest he offers proven pedigree to any side seeking defensive reinforcement.

Boutouil’s exit from Al-Hazem, which leaves him unattached going into the new season, has now been formally completed.