Derby Fever Meets Transfer Thunder: Ziyech Joins Wydad, But When Will He Shine?

Delay in Debut Amid Derby Anticipation

Hicham Aït Mana, president of Wydad Athletic Club, revealed a shock to fans: the arrival of the new signing Hakim Ziyech will not see him active in matches in the current period, despite being officially unveiled and the transfer details being public, a move many called the transfer of the century for Moroccan football.

He added that the player will not be able to participate in league fixtures until early next year.

Transfer Details, Schedule, and Big Ambitions

In statements to Al-Riyadia TV on Saturday, Aït Mana said the official presentation would take place during the upcoming derby, but his first appearance will likely be delayed until the end of November when he will take part in the CAF Confederation Cup, after Wydad qualified for the competition by overcoming Ashanti Kotoko of Ghana.

The news is a shock to Wydad supporters who have waited eagerly to see the Moroccan star in the Red jersey.

The coach will work to integrate the player in the coming weeks, with a special training program alongside the squad to regain physical and technical readiness.

Domestic league play will pause for FIFA international windows, delaying Ziyech’s domestic debut beyond November.

Regarding participation in the Africa Cup of Nations, the dream of linking up with the tournament remains possible but challenging, as Ziyech joined Wydad to ensure readiness ahead of the national team’s final squad announced by Walid Regragui.

The first official appearance is expected after the squad list is announced, unless Regragui calls him into the November training camp, as he has done with some injured players previously at the Mohammed VI Training Complex.

Key Signings

Hakim Ziyech’s move to Wydad stands as one of the most notable and expensive in Moroccan football history, given the player’s technical quality and market value. He has 64 national caps and 25 goals, making him the top scorer of his generation.

The global market value of Ziyech is estimated at around €10 million, while the actual transfer price is around €2.5 million, including signing bonuses and performance incentives.

That figure marks the highest transfer value in Botola Pro history, surpassing the previous deal with Brazilian Arthur for about €1.5 million.

He is also the all-time Moroccan top scorer in the UEFA Champions League with ten goals, and is the only Moroccan in the current league to have featured in both the 2018 Russia and 2022 Qatar World Cups.

Thus, the signing has drawn unprecedented attention from Moroccan football fans who await an official presentation, which the club president vowed would live up to the player’s value and the spectacle of the deal.

It is expected that Hakim Ziyech will be officially introduced next Wednesday, coinciding with the Derby between Wydad and Raja, with tickets reportedly selling out since the first day of release. Aït Mana hopes this event will boost his players’ morale ahead of the traditional rival, while Raja’s camp aims to confirm their superiority in the last five clashes between the two sides, three of which were wins for Raja and two draws.

Historic Reception

Sources inside the club say Ziyech will receive a historic welcome in his first appearance before Moroccan fans, with a special tif0 set up by Wydad supporters to celebrate his signing, while Raja fans are expected to respond with whistles and counter-chanting—a hallmark of the fierce rivalry.

This will be Ziyech’s first experience in front of Moroccan crowds since joining the national team, as he has typically enjoyed strong support in all his previous matches.

Wydad aims to bolster its squad with a European-experienced player and become the club’s second World Cup signing after Noruddin Amrabat. The club also hopes to finalize a third deal with national team star Sufian Bouval as part of a project to reclaim the domestic title and win the CAF Confederation Cup after two lean seasons.

Analysts note that both clubs stand to gain from the deal, athletically and economically, and the presence of a player of Ziyech’s caliber in the Moroccan league will raise the competition’s level and give local fans a chance to see one of their generation’s brightest stars up close. Moreover, the signing will help him regain fitness and form ahead of future national-team campaigns.

And so the saga continues: a star, a derby, and a calendar that won’t stop for him to finish his coffee first. He’ll join Wydad—just not before the fans finish debating whether this is the era of a new golden generation or simply a very well-timed PR campaign.

Two lighthearted punchlines: If timing were a sport, Ziyech would be the reigning world champion of late arrivals. Also, the only thing faster than a cross from Ziyech might be a rumor about when he’ll actually debut—blink, and you’ll miss both the ball and the timing entirely.