Morocco’s women’s national team captain, Ghizlane Chebbak, has officially signed a one-season deal with Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal, the club announced on Instagram on Friday. Chebbak is set to represent Al Hilal until 2026.
In a welcoming video shared by the club, Chebbak introduced herself, saying: “I’m Ghizlane. I carve paths through the crowd and turn every moment into a goal.” Her name, which translates to “deer” in Arabic, aptly mirrors her agility and elegance on the pitch.
Her transfer marks another milestone in Saudi Arabia’s expanding investment in women’s football, as the country aims to attract top international talent and coaches. For Chebbak, the move offers an opportunity to share her wealth of experience in a new league while continuing to elevate Moroccan football on the international stage.
The 35-year-old midfielder joins Al Hilal after successful stints with Moroccan club AS FAR and Spain’s Levante Badalona. Chebbak is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in Moroccan women’s football. At AS FAR, she captained the team to multiple domestic and international titles, including a record-breaking 2013-2014 season where she netted 54 goals in just 20 matches. She also played a pivotal role in AS FAR’s third-place finishes at the CAF Women’s Champions League in 2021 and 2023.
On the international front, Chebbak has been instrumental in Morocco’s rise, particularly during the 2022 and 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), helping the Atlas Lionesses reach the final on home soil in 2022.
Chebbak’s arrival in Saudi Arabia aligns with the nation’s broader ambition to develop its women’s football league, part of a sports strategy that has already drawn global stars such as Neymar, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Yassine Bounou, along with high-profile coaches like Simone Inzaghi.
