After his struggles at Wydad: Morocco star signs surprise return to Europe

A new opportunity on the verge of forty

One of Morocco's veteran stars has returned to European football after a single season back home with Wydad.

Noureddine Amrabat, 39, was a free agent. He has now joined Dutch club Utrecht.

His exit from the Casablanca club came amid the financial austerity policy imposed by the new administration under Brahim El Asri, who declined to renew a swathe of contracts. Amrabat was among them, leaving during a financial crisis that had disrupted the regularity of salaries towards the end of last season.

Across 38 appearances for Wydad, Amrabat scored four goals and provided four assists.

Utrecht confirmed the move in a statement on their website on Tuesday.

Two weeks of training with the squad were enough for the former Morocco international to win over the coaching staff. He has now been cleared to feature in official competitions.

His brother Sofyan Amrabat, once part of Utrecht's youth setup, smoothed the path. He intervened with the club's administration to secure the trial period.

Noureddine's arrival hands Utrecht a versatile player with wide-ranging experience, built up during his early years at Ajax, Huizen and PSV.

Utrecht face GA Eagles next Saturday in the fifth round of the Dutch league.