Morocco’s Hakim Ziyech arrives in Brazil to join Botafogo

Moroccan international Hakim Ziyech arrived Tuesday evening in Rio de Janeiro to complete his transfer to Botafogo, where he will play until December 2028.

The 33 year-old Moroccan forward was welcomed at the Galeão International Airport by the Brazilian club’s supporters. He is scheduled to undergo a physical on Wednesday prior to inking his contract.

“I am excited. It is my first time here, but Brazil has always been on my list. Now, it’s becoming a reality. (…) It is after all the number one country for football,” Ziyech told TV Botafogo.

After leaving Wydad Casablanca, where he played 16 fixtures, scoring 9 goals and offering 2 decisive passes.

His arrival at Botafogo comes at a time where the club was seeking to reinforce its frontline, particularly on the left wing. Ziyech will be the Brazilian club’s eighth signing during this transfer window.

A key player for the Moroccan national team at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Ziyech helped the Atlas Lions make history by becoming the first African and Arab team to reach the World Cup semifinals.

Trained in the Netherlands, where he made a name for himself playing for Heerenveen and then FC Twente, the Moroccan also played for Ajax Amsterdam, with whom he reached the Champions League semifinals in 2019.

He then played for Chelsea (winners of the 2021 Champions League) as well as Galatasaray in Türkiye and Al-Duhail in Qatar.