Hamza Mendyl: Morocco and Ivory Coast Left-Back Leaves Aris Saloniki and Becomes Free Agent

Hamza Mendyl has completed his departure from Aris Saloniki and is now officially without a club, with the transfer registered on 2026-07-01 and his contract with the Greek side ending on 2026-07-01. The 28-year-old left-back, who holds both Moroccan and Ivorian nationality, enters the free-agent market carrying a listed market value of €800k and the profile of an experienced top-flight defender.

The move confirms that Mendyl’s spell in Greece’s Super League 1 has come to an end, with his status now recorded simply as “Without Club” and “N/A” for both league and association. No transfer fee was involved in the switch, reflecting the fact that his contract with Aris ran its course, allowing him to walk away on a free. Administratively, the change is complete: he is no longer tied to Aris Saloniki in any capacity.

Born in Casablanca and standing at 1.79m, Mendyl is a left-footed defender whose main position is left-back. His versatility down the flank and ability to operate as a modern full-back had made him a notable presence in Greece’s top division, and his exit now opens a new chapter in a career that has already taken him away from his birth country into European football. With his club designation now listed as “Without Club” and his national-team field currently reading the same, his immediate future lies entirely in the hands of potential suitors.

The dual-national defender, recognised as both Moroccan and Ivorian in official records, has built a reputation as an athletic, attack-minded full-back. While specific match-by-match statistics and recent performance data are not detailed in the available information, his continued valuation at €800k at the time of this transfer underlines that he retains a recognised standing in the market despite the contract expiry.

Having been most recently active in the Super League 1 with Aris Saloniki, Mendyl’s career path underlines the increasingly international trajectory of North and West African footballers. Rather than playing domestically in Morocco or Côte d’Ivoire, his professional profile has been shaped abroad, and his next move is likely to keep him outside his home countries, given that he is now emerging onto a global free-agent market.

Reactions in Morocco and Côte d’Ivoire will inevitably focus on what comes next. Supporters and observers in both nations typically follow the fortunes of their diaspora players closely, and a free transfer status often generates discussion about suitable destinations, potential returns to form, and opportunities in competitive leagues. From a European perspective, the end of his time at Aris marks one more example of a short- to medium-term contract cycle concluding without renewal, leaving a capable player suddenly available.

At 28, Mendyl is entering what is traditionally viewed as a defender’s prime years. With his contract at Aris Saloniki officially concluded on 2026-07-01 and his new status as a free agent confirmed on the same date, he now has the freedom to negotiate his next deal without the complications of a transfer fee. Where he signs next will go a long way toward defining the second half of his career, shaping both his reputation at club level and his prospects of re-establishing himself on the international stage for Morocco, Côte d’Ivoire, or both national setups, depending on selection and eligibility decisions ahead.