Wydad Casablanca have confirmed the signing of Moroccan star Hakim Ziyech, marking one of the most remarkable transfer moves in African football this year.
The 32-year-old attacking midfielder will join the Moroccan giants on a contract running until 2027, with an option for extension.
Club president Hicham Aït Menna revealed how the club managed to secure the deal, describing it as both emotional and strategic.
“Hakim Ziyech has signed with Wydad until 2027, with an option to extend. Negotiations went smoothly.
He wanted to return home and play for his country despite receiving several lucrative offers from abroad,” Aït Menna told Okaz.
The transfer ends months of speculation surrounding Ziyech’s future. The Moroccan international had been linked with several clubs, including Marseille, Lille, Elche, CFR Cluj, and even a possible return to Ajax.
However, his decision to return to Morocco comes just months before the country hosts the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, giving the move a deep symbolic meaning.
Ziyech will take on a special role within Wydad’s setup. The club views him as a technical leader on the pitch and an ambassador off it, tasked with raising the profile of Botola football internationally.
While he still needs time to regain full match fitness after several months without competitive action, his arrival has already sent excitement through Moroccan football circles.
Wydad, currently second in the Botola with a game in hand, face Ghanaian side Asante Kotoko in the CAF Champions League on Friday. Ziyech will not feature in that match, but anticipation around his debut continues to build.
For both Wydad and Moroccan football, Ziyech’s return represents more than a transfer — it’s a homecoming that could inspire a new generation of local talent and reignite national pride.
« 𝙕𝙞𝙮𝙚𝙘𝙝 𝙖 𝙚𝙭𝙥𝙧𝙞𝙢𝙚́ 𝙨𝙤𝙣 𝙙𝙚́𝙨𝙞𝙧 𝙙𝙚 𝙟𝙤𝙪𝙚𝙧 𝙥𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙨𝙤𝙣 𝙥𝙖𝙮𝙨, 𝙢𝙖𝙡𝙜𝙧𝙚́ 𝙥𝙡𝙪𝙨𝙞𝙚𝙪𝙧𝙨 𝙤𝙛𝙛𝙧𝙚𝙨 𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙚́𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙨 𝙙𝙚 𝙘𝙡𝙪𝙗𝙨 𝙚́𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙧𝙨 »
Hicham Ait Menna confirme l’arrivée d’Hakim Ziyech. pic.twitter.com/uCDG7UhCpr
— Hanif Ben Berkane (@HanifBerkane) October 22, 2025
