Hakim Ziyech set to join Brazilian club Botafogo in deadline-week move

Hakim Ziyech, the 33-year-old Moroccan international who once dazzled Champions League defenses at Ajax and Chelsea, appears to be on the verge of an unexpected career detour. The attacking midfielder is in advanced talks to join Brazilian side Botafogo, with the clock ticking toward the September 11 transfer window deadline.

The move comes just days after Ziyech mutually terminated his contract with Wydad Casablanca on September 6. A player who has bounced between four clubs in recent years now looks set to add South America to a career passport that already includes stops in the Netherlands, England, and Qatar.

A transfer with turbulence

Negotiations between Ziyech and Botafogo reportedly accelerated in early September 2026, moving quickly from initial contact to what looked like a done deal. Botafogo even booked a flight for the winger to Rio de Janeiro and prepared a presentation video, the kind of gestures clubs make when they believe the ink is practically dry.

Then came the hesitation. Ziyech reportedly grew concerned about the quality of pitches in Brazil’s domestic league, a worry that intensified after conversations with fellow Moroccan player Zakaria Labyad. Labyad’s own experience in Brazil included injury problems, and his firsthand account apparently gave Ziyech pause.

Despite the wobble, Botafogo remains optimistic. Reports indicate Ziyech is en route to Brazil, though conflicting accounts suggest the player has not formally confirmed his commitment. With the Brazilian transfer window slamming shut on September 11, both sides are operating under serious time pressure.

A winding road to Rio

Ziyech was born in the Netherlands to Moroccan parents and rose through Dutch football before a transformative spell at Ajax, where he was nicknamed “The Wizard” for his exceptional dribbling and playmaking skills. In 2020, he made a high-profile move to Chelsea before having spells in Turkey’s Galatasaray and then Qatar’s Al-Duhail.

His return to Morocco with Wydad Casablanca in January 2026 was framed as a homecoming of sorts. Ziyech wanted to reconnect with his roots, and the numbers suggested it worked: 9 goals in 16 appearances is a productive return by any measure. But the relationship lasted barely eight months before both parties agreed to part ways on September 6.

For Botafogo, landing Ziyech would represent a significant statement signing. The Rio de Janeiro outfit operates under the SAF structure and has positioned itself as one of Brazil’s most ambitious projects. Ziyech also brings World Cup experience with Morocco, who reached the semifinals of the 2022 tournament.

Ziyech is a free agent after leaving Wydad, which means his leverage is limited by the calendar. The Brazilian window closes on September 11, and if this deal collapses, his next opportunity might not come until January in most major leagues.

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