Hakim Ziyech Signs for Botafogo Until December 2028

Moroccan international Hakim Ziyech, 33, arrived in Rio de Janeiro on Tuesday evening to finalize his transfer to Brazilian club Botafogo, on a contract expected to run until December 2028. Ziyech was welcomed at Galeão International Airport by a group of club supporters and is set to undergo the usual medical examinations on Wednesday before officially signing his contract.

From hesitation to a done deal

The road to Brazil was not a straight one: Ziyech had pulled out of an earlier agreement with Botafogo at the last minute, despite having recorded a presentation video and booked his flight, after receiving warnings about the quality of pitches in the Brazilian league, including advice from fellow Moroccan international Zakaria Labyad, who plays for Corinthians. Former Ajax teammates, including Danilo Pereira and defender Alex Telles, stepped in to convince him to go through with the move. In parallel, Wydad Casablanca terminated his contract by mutual consent, closing a short but productive spell with the Casablanca club.

Ziyech's career before Brazil

Ziyech had joined Wydad Casablanca as a free agent in October 2025, making 16 appearances with 9 goals and 2 assists before his contract was terminated this week. The forward made his name at Ajax Amsterdam, helping the club reach the Champions League semi-finals in the 2018-2019 season, before moving to Chelsea in 2020, where he won the Champions League in 2021, and later playing for Turkey's Galatasaray. On the international stage, Ziyech was a key figure in Morocco's run to the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, an unprecedented achievement for an African and Arab team.

Why this transfer matters

Ziyech's move adds to a string of transfers by prominent Moroccan players on the international market, as the national team continues to make its mark on the global football scene, alongside the presence of Achraf Hakimi, Yassine Bono and Bouadi in the 2026 Ballon d'Or rankings. Despite the hesitation that marked the negotiations, joining a club of Botafogo's stature gives Ziyech a chance to relaunch his career at the top level after a brief spell in the Moroccan league, while Wydad supporters wait to see how the club will replace him in the transfer market.