Hakim Ziyech, once a Champions League winner with Chelsea and a star for Morocco at the World Cup, has recently faced a tough setback in his career. After leaving Chelsea for Galatasaray in 2023 and a brief stint with Al-Duhail in Qatar, Ziyech found himself a free agent searching for a new challenge.
Ziyech had entered into advanced negotiations with CFR Cluj, a club sitting 12th in Romania’s Liga 1, where he aimed to become their highest-paid player. However, hopes of a deal were dashed when the club’s owner, Ioan Varga, revealed that medical concerns had prompted them to back away from signing the 32-year-old winger.
Varga spoke openly about the decision, stating, “Ziyech failed. He has a problem in his left knee that I was informed about. He’s a very good guy, but I wouldn’t risk that much money for a player who might have medical problems.” The owner added that his observations of Ziyech’s play at Galatasaray contributed to the decision, noting, “He seemed to play with some fear.”
Explaining the club’s position further, Varga continued, “We have made the decision to withdraw from the talks. I’m sorry, because he’s a special boy, but I don’t want to risk it. He wanted 2.5 million euros a year, and I wouldn’t have given this money to a player we risked not being able to use.”
Varga offered a message of goodwill toward Ziyech, saying, “I wish him to be healthy, and to be able to play for another team. We will look for another player who is healthy, and we are sure that he can help us.”
CFR Cluj have recently made ambitious moves in the transfer market, acquiring former West Ham defender Kurt Zouma and ex-Leicester forward Islam Slimani. The club has also benefited from the advice of former Manchester United and Arsenal defender Mikael Silvestre, who has acted as an advisor.
For Ziyech, the snub from Cluj marks a difficult chapter in a career that once saw him reach the pinnacle of European football. The winger must now seek new opportunities as he looks to overcome persistent fitness concerns and rediscover his form.
