Algerian clubs reshaped their squads aggressively during the 2025–2026 winter transfer window, completing a wave of domestic and international moves that underlined the league’s growing competitiveness and urgency midway through the season.
From title contenders to relegation battlers, teams across Algerian Ligue 1 were active in the market, with several clubs opting for experience and short-term solutions, while others invested significant sums to strengthen key areas.
The window produced a steady flow of confirmed deals, loans and free transfers, reflecting contrasting strategies across the division.
MC Alger were among the clubs to spend decisively, securing Chahreddine Boukholda from MC Oran for a reported €330,000.
The move was one of the more notable domestic transfers of the window and signalled MC Alger’s intent to reinforce their squad depth for the second half of the campaign.
JS Kabylie focused on reshaping their squad through multiple departures.
Chouaib Boulkaboul joined ES Mostaganem, while Jaredi Teixeira completed a move to CA Petróleos Luanda.
Célestin Ecua was loaned out to Young Africans SC, and Hamza Mouali headed to JS Saoura on a temporary deal, highlighting a clear rebalancing of personnel.
CR Belouizdad were equally busy, cashing in on Jean Charles Ahoua, who moved to Simba SC for €275,000, and Tarek Bousseder, sold to ES Sétif for €135,000.
The club also released Salim Boukhanchouche to USM Alger on a free transfer, while Necer Marouane Benzid departed for MB Rouissat.
USM Alger stood out financially, completing two of the most expensive deals of the window.
Dramane Kamagate arrived from FC San Pedro for €400,000, while Imadeddine Azzi joined from Dinamo Makhachkala in a deal worth €355,000, reinforcing their ambitions for the remainder of the season.
Elsewhere, MC Oran were highly active, signing Ousmane Kokoe Coumbassa from ES Zarzis for €325,000 and adding several players through free transfers and undisclosed deals.
ES Sétif also strengthened with multiple arrivals, including Mick Omfia, Daniel Gnahoua and Mohamed Hamek, while loaning out Hatem Bencheikh El Fegoun to Olympique Akbou.
Several clubs, including USM Khenchela, ES Mostaganem, MC El Bayadh and ASO Chlef, relied heavily on free agents, a trend that underlined financial caution amid competitive pressure.
Paradou AC, by contrast, opted for stability and made no signings during the window.
As the winter window closed, Algerian Ligue 1 emerged reshaped, with squads retooled and ambitions clarified. Whether these moves deliver success on the pitch will become clear as the season reaches its decisive phase.
