Raja Casablanca defender Mehdi El Mechkhakh joins Azerbaijani club Zira FK

Raja Casablanca defender Mehdi El Mechkhakh has completed a move to Azerbaijani club Zira FK after ending his spell with the Moroccan giants.

The young centre-back has signed a three-year contract with Zira, bringing an end to his time at Raja during the current summer transfer window.

The transfer will see El Mechkhakh leave Morocco for the first time in his professional career as he begins a new chapter in the Azerbaijani league.

El Mechkhakh leaves Raja after being placed on exit list

El Mechkhakh’s departure follows a decision by Raja’s sporting management, led by Portuguese director Rogerio Matias, to include the defender among the players allowed to leave the club this summer.

The young defender has now secured a move away from the Moroccan top flight, with Zira offering him the opportunity to continue his development outside the country.

His move also represents another step for a Moroccan player seeking experience in European football, with El Mechkhakh now tasked with establishing himself in Azerbaijan.

Moroccan defender begins new chapter with Zira

El Mechkhakh will wear the Zira shirt for the next three seasons after reaching an agreement with the Azerbaijani club.

The move marks his first professional experience outside Morocco and provides the former Raja defender with an opportunity to test himself in a new football environment.

After leaving one of Morocco’s most prominent clubs, El Mechkhakh will now look to make an impact in the Azerbaijani league and build on his career away from home.