Historic Homecoming: Hakim Ziyech Signs with Wydad in a Groundbreaking Move

Historic Free Transfer for Ziyech Sparks Moroccan Football Revival

Wydad Athletic Club secured a historic coup by signing Moroccan star Hakim Ziyech on a free transfer, effectively ending a chapter of uncertainty that followed his exit from Al Duhail a few months earlier. Ziyech had long been one of Wydad’s top targets, especially ahead of the Club World Cup, but negotiations stalled due to a few lingering details, forcing the club to pivot during the pursuit of a new piece for its project.

Sources close to the club indicated that the deal was sealed after the player chose to commit to the Moroccan giants, turning down approaches from several European outfits, with CFR Cluj among the clubs rumored to be in contention during the late transfer window. Despite circulating whispers about a knee issue, Ziyech himself publicly downplayed any injury concerns as he limited his media appearances in recent months.

Wydad and Ziyech now embark on what many see as a mutually beneficial arrangement. The move is portrayed as a lifeline for the club, which seeks to reclaim its status at the top of Moroccan football and to mount a renewed challenge at continental level, while offering Ziyech a stable environment to rebuild his form and potentially rejoin Morocco’s national team in the near future.

Analyses from Moroccan outlets emphasize how the deal aligns with Ziyech’s aspirations and with Wydad’s strategic ambitions. The coverage highlights that the club may become a gateway for Ziyech to rediscover his peak level and perhaps reemerge in the national team setup, especially given the coach at the time noted that a return would require a player to be playing regularly at a strong club.

Pre World Cup negotiations

In the run-up to the Club World Cup, Wydad’s leadership intensified outreach to Ziyech and other Moroccan stars in hopes of strengthening the squad for the tournament. While Hamdallah eventually chose to move to Al Hilal, Ziyech had at one point not closed the door on joining Wydad in the future, leaving the door open for a possible collaboration once the club secured a pathway that aligned with his development needs.

During that period, Wydad also pursued Omar Al Soma, though that venture ultimately did not deliver the expected outcome. Nevertheless, the bridges between the club and Ziyech remained active, aided by the presence of former national teammate Nordin Amrabat within Wydad, who provided a motivational boost and helped cement the decision in favor of the Moroccan club.

Win-win logic

Observers describe the transfer as a win-win situation because Wydad gains a high-caliber attacker who can uplift the team’s artistic level and market value, while Ziyech gains access to a strong, supportive environment with a clear plan to regain his best form. He remains the national team’s top scorer among the current generation, and his experience could be decisive in domestic competition as well as in African competitions.

For Ziyech, the move represents more than a sporting shift; it is a chance to rebuild his career, restore confidence, and pursue a potential return to the national squad for major tournaments. The coach had previously emphasized that returning to the national team would depend on joining a club that enables him to recover his technical and physical form, a condition that Ziyech now satisfies with Wydad.

Big ambitions, bold temperament

Ziyech is known for a sharp temperament and strong personality, traits that have sometimes clashed with coaches in the past. The Moroccan winger has had run-ins with elite managers at Chelsea and Galatasaray, as well as with Morocco’s national team coaches. Now, stepping into a new environment with passionate Wydad fans, he faces the test of adapting quickly to the local culture and the rhythm of the domestic league, while also positioning himself for European considerations should opportunities arise again.

Fans have greeted the signing with enthusiasm, and the Moroccan media sees the move as more than a transfer: it is a statement of intent from a club capable of luring a player of Ziyech’s caliber back to the domestic fold. The real question moving forward is how swiftly he can harmonize his style with the team’s system and how quickly he can influence results in both league and continental competitions.

For Ziyech, this is about a fresh start in a familiar setting, surrounded by supportive fans and a city that has historically celebrated homegrown success. The focus now shifts to on-field impact, with observers watching to see if he can reclaim the spark that defined his peak years and translate it into trophies for Wydad and potential appearances for the national team on home soil in Africa’s flagship tournament.

Punchline 1: If patience is a virtue, Ziyech just earned sainthood in Casablanca—he pulled the trigger on doubt and scored. Boom.

Punchline 2: This transfer is so precise that even a sniper would applaud—hit the target, then vanish into the night, leaving defenders checking their boots for a magic trick.