Hakim Ziyech and Wydad have mutually agreed to terminate the Moroccan playmaker's contract, the club announced Sunday. His disappointing stint at the Casablanca-based outfit ends after months of tension with management, cutting short what was meant to be a marquee homecoming for the talented midfielder.
The separation marks an unhappy conclusion to Ziyech's time at the Red Castle, a tenure marked by friction with club leadership under Brahim El Assri. In an emotional statement posted to Facebook, Wydad acknowledged the brevity of his spell while celebrating his contributions. "Sometimes, some stories are shorter than we had hoped, but they leave a mark that cannot be erased," the club wrote, reflecting on what had been envisioned as a major signing for the African powerhouse.
What's Next for Ziyech?
Ziyech's future remains fluid as multiple clubs circle the former Ajax and Chelsea winger. Botafogo of Brazil and Libya's Al-Ittihad have emerged as serious suitors, according to recent reports. The 31-year-old leaves with his market value intact despite the troubled Wydad chapter, positioning him for opportunities in major football markets before the transfer window closes.
Hicham Aït Menna, the former Wydad president who orchestrated Ziyech's arrival, publicly backed his exit with a touching Instagram post. "You arrived as a star, and you leave as a star," Aït Menna wrote alongside a photo of the pair. His words underscored Ziyech's individual quality while acknowledging the broader institutional friction that doomed the partnership.
The Morocco international now faces a pivotal decision about his next destination, with Brazilian football and Middle Eastern clubs offering competing pathways to restore his career momentum after an unforeseen setback in North Africa.
