Hakim Ziyech could be on the verge of a return to Turkey, with newly promoted Gençlerbirliği reportedly making moves to sign the Moroccan playmaker ahead of the upcoming Süper Lig campaign.
According to multiple Turkish media outlets, the Ankara-based club has initiated contact with the 32-year-old’s representatives.
Ziyech is currently without a club following the termination of his brief stint in Qatar, and Gençlerbirliği are said to be keen on making him a centrepiece of their summer transfer strategy.
After years of highs and lows across European and Middle Eastern football, Ziyech’s next move remains uncertain.
His last spell in Türkiye, with Galatasaray, ended prematurely despite flashes of brilliance.
The former Chelsea midfielder scored eight goals in 34 appearances and helped the Istanbul giants to a league title, but the overall campaign fell short of expectations, ultimately leading to his departure in January 2025.
His subsequent move to Al-Duhail in Qatar offered little reprieve.
Minutes on the pitch were limited, and the relationship between club and player was swiftly severed just six months after his arrival.
Now, Gençlerbirliği, who recently secured promotion to the Turkish top flight, are looking to add Ziyech’s vision and flair to a squad focused on survival rather than silverware.
The club is hoping the former Ajax star can offer not just creativity in attack, but also leadership and top-flight experience.
Sporting directorate sources suggest Ziyech is one of their top targets.
However, the Moroccan international has yet to make a decision on his future.
🚨🇲🇦 𝐎𝐅𝐅𝐈𝐂𝐈𝐀𝐋 | Hakim Ziyech (32) is now a free agent. He has left Al Duhail SC. 👋
Clubs he has played for: Heerenveen, Twente, Ajax, Chelsea, Galatasaray & Al Duhail. New chapter awaits for him. 🔜 pic.twitter.com/Hugj6oCkHa
— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) May 31, 2025
Earlier reports loosely linking him with Fiorentina have already been dismissed by the Italian side, and Ziyech himself has remained silent amid the speculation.
For the Atlas Lions midfielder, the next move carries added weight.
With the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco on the horizon, securing regular playing time and form will be essential if he hopes to feature in the national team’s plans.
Gençlerbirliği offers that potential stage, but it comes with challenges—including the battle to stay in the Süper Lig.
As negotiations hover in limbo, Gençlerbirliği are reportedly keeping communication lines open, while fans await clarity on whether Ziyech will return to Turkish football under a very different spotlight—no longer as a title contender, but as a veteran looking to resurrect his career and influence from a different vantage point.
