One day after coming to a mutual termination of his contract with Turkish Super Lig club Galatasaray, Moroccan playmaker Hakim Ziyech's move to Qatar Stars Club Al-Duhail was confirmed on Thursday.
The 31-year-old joins the Qatari club after a difficult first half of the 2024-25 season that saw him miss time due to injury, resulting in a reduced role off the bench for the Turkish giants. It was a bitter divorce for the temperamental playmaker who had nothing but negative things to say about how his time at the club ended, also deleting any photos or references to the club in his social media:
“Galatasaray is over for me. I don’t want to play here anymore. I'm leaving in January...I don't care that much. I want to be left alone, no matter what happens. I regret coming here,” Ziyech reportedly said according to journalist Haluk Yurekli. The Dutch-Moroccan also slammed Galatasaray coach Okan Buruk claiming that he has never "seen a coach of such a low level."
The new opportunity in Qatar gives Ziyech a chance for a fresh start and also the chance to maintain his position in the Morocco national team which is in question as the Atlas Lions continue to improve their squad. Al-Duhail currently lead the Qatar Stars League, ahead of Al-Gharafa by one point. Ziyech joins a squad that includes prolific Kenyan goal scorer Michael Olunga as the club continues their title push.
Comments