Wydad Athletic Club has officially announced the termination of Hakim Ziyech’s contract by mutual consent, bringing an end to a brief and turbulent stint with the Moroccan side.
Official Statement from Wydad
In a formal statement, the Casablanca-based club confirmed the agreement with the player to dissolve the contract. The statement read: “Wydad Athletic Club announces it has reached an agreement with player Hakim Ziyech to terminate the contract binding the two parties by mutual consent.”
The club also expressed gratitude and warmth towards the player, adding: “Hakim, this experience may not have lasted as long as we had hoped, but wearing the red jersey will remain a special memory, and your presence among the club’s members will remain part of an unforgettable story.”
Wydad further emphasized the lasting impact of the player’s time at the club: “You were one of us, and you will always remain part of the Wydad Athletic family. Great clubs are not measured only by the years players spend within them, but by the impact they leave on the hearts of their fans.”
The statement concluded with a thank you to Ziyech and well-wishes for his future career.
Ziyech's Response on Social Media
Following the announcement, Ziyech took to his Instagram account to share a post from former club president Hicham Ait Mena, who bid farewell to the player. This came shortly after Wydad declared the mutual termination of the contract.
Background of Ziyech's Move to Wydad
Hakim Ziyech had joined Wydad in October of the previous year on a free transfer. His move to the Moroccan club came after his stint with Qatari side Al-Duhail ended and a potential signing with Spanish club Elche fell through during that period.
Unexpected Crisis and Disputes
According to reports from Moroccan media, Ziyech found himself outside the plans of the club’s new management, despite his intention to continue with the red team. He had begun preparations for the new season but was excluded from a friendly match and subsequently left out of the squad traveling to Agadir, in southern Morocco, for the pre-season camp, a decision made by the club president.
Ziyech broke his silence on Instagram, directly criticizing club president Ibrahim Al-Asri. The situation took a legal turn when Ziyech enlisted a judicial commissioner to document his status at the training grounds in the Mohamed Benjelloun complex, after being told to remain in Casablanca and train individually.
Reports indicated that the financial burden of players was weighing heavily on the club’s management, especially after Ziyech refused to reduce his financial dues, which prompted the club to terminate the contract.
