Officially: Botafogo announce the signing of Hakim Ziyech

A new adventure

Brazilian club Botafogo confirmed the free-transfer signing of Moroccan star Hakim Ziyech on Thursday, handing him a contract until the end of 2028. The "Atlas Lion" now begins a new chapter on Brazilian pitches.

Announcing the deal on their official account on the platform "X", Botafogo hailed a player who shone at the World Cup and racked up silverware across Europe, confirming his signature until the end of 2028.

The official announcement came hours after the 33-year-old touched down in Rio de Janeiro. Director of football Leo Coelho greeted him on arrival, and a lively welcome awaited outside Galeão International Airport. Dozens of Botafogo supporters gathered to chant for their new signing, including a cry of "As-salamu alaykum" in Arabic, a scene that sparked plenty of buzz online.

Ziyech wasted no time expressing his excitement at the move, insisting playing in Brazil had long been a dream. "Everything went well," he told Botafogo's official channel. "The journey was a little long, but it was comfortable. I am very excited. This is my first visit to Brazil, but it was always among my wishes, and now it has become a reality."

He added: "Brazil is number 1 in the world of football. It is the way of life here, and that is something that touches my heart and that I long to experience."

Few players arrive with a European CV like his. Ziyech turned out for Ajax in the Netherlands, Chelsea in England and Galatasaray in Turkey, and he was one of the standout performers as Morocco stormed to fourth place at the 2022 World Cup. A short spell at Wydad followed, and now the road has led him to Botafogo.