Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
The hype was enormous when Chelsea agreed to pay a fee of around £35m to sign Hakim Ziyech from Ajax in the summer of 2020. But three years later, Ziyech left for a fraction of that fee.
Having had a hand in 127 goals in 165 games for Ajax, Chelsea fans were delighted when the Blues had agreed a deal to sign the Morocco star. His exploits in the Champions League had really caught the eye.
Estevao Willian's minutes
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
But other than a few glimpses, Ziyech’s stint in a Chelsea shirt did not match the potential. While he was part of the side that won the 2021 Champions League, Ziyech managed just 14 goals in 107 appearances.
By the time BlueCo came in, Ziyech was already staring a departure in the face. In January 2023, Chelsea filed the wrong documents, and a move to PSG failed. He stayed, but any bond had been broken.
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Ziyech’s move to Galatasaray in 2023 ended in more failure
Ziyech joined Galatasaray on loan with an obligation that summer, as Chelsea decided to simply offload the former Ajax man. A bargain fee of £5.5m was agreed, which combined loan and obligation fees.
After just 34 games in 18 months, with injury playing a big part, Ziyech was on the move again. A short stint in Qatar with Al Duhail was next, but Ziyech only managed 13 appearances, scoring one goal.
Chelsea FC v Nottingham Forest - Premier League
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Return to Morocco and fourth Ziyech move in three years
Largely considered to be the biggest deal in Moroccan football history, Ziyech completed a move to Wydad Casablanca in the summer of 2025. He impressed, but only managed 16 appearances in a year.
Nine goals and two assists arrived, but the former Chelsea man was plagued by injury once again. After just 12 months with the Moroccan giants, he left the club over the weekend with a new club close.
Chelsea v Palmeiras: Final - FIFA Club World Cup UAE 2021
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He won’t be a free agent for long. Fabrizio Romano, among other outlets, share the news that Ziyech is set for another new continent – this time, he is moving to South America to join Serie A giants Botafogo.
Romano reported: “Hakim Ziyech lands in Brazil on Tuesday to sign in as new Botafogo player, here we go! Deal completed and set to be signed after Moroccan star left Wydad Casablanca as free agent.”
A fourth club in just three years since Ziyech left Chelsea. His career might be dwindling, but the former Chelsea man is certainly getting the most out of his final years as a professional footballer, now in Brazil.