The winter transfer of Moroccan international Yasser Zabiri from Portuguese side Famalicão to French club Rennes has generated substantial financial returns for the Mohammed VI International Football Academy, with the prospect of further gains in the future.
According to a report published by Al-Sabah newspaper on Friday, February 6, 2026, the agreement between the Mohammed VI Academy and Famalicão included a clause entitling the academy to 50 per cent of the value of any future transfer involving the player.
With Zabiri’s move to Rennes reportedly valued at around 10 billion centimes, the academy has directly benefited from 5 billion centimes as a result of the deal. The same report added that the contract also provides additional financial advantages, as the academy is set to receive half of the performance-related bonuses linked to the player’s spell in France.
These bonuses are tied to several criteria, including the number of goals Zabiri scores, the number of matches he plays, as well as potential team achievements such as winning trophies or finishing in advanced positions in domestic or continental competitions.
Beyond the immediate financial impact, Zabiri’s transfer further highlights the success of the development model adopted by the Mohammed VI Academy. Built on elite-level training and strategic management of talent, the model continues to generate sustainable revenue long after players leave the academy, a strategy that has already paid dividends through multiple successful moves by its graduates to European leagues.
From a sporting perspective, the report suggests that Zabiri’s move to Ligue 1 could strengthen his chances of earning a place in the Moroccan national team in the near future.
With the Atlas Lions preparing for major upcoming competitions, including the 2026 World Cup, the deal represents a significant step forward for both the academy and the player’s professional career.
