Yassine Bounou agrees with Al Hilal to extend his contract to 2027 | OneFootball

Two more years for the Moroccan goalkeeper in Saudi Arabia.

Yassine Bounou agrees with Al Hilal to extend his contract to 2027

In a move that will disappoint Sevilla FC's management, Moroccan international goalkeeper Yassine Bounou has committed his future to Al Hilal, agreeing to a contract extension that will keep him in Saudi Arabia until summer 2027.

The 32-year-old shot-stopper, currently enjoying a well-deserved vacation in Morocco after his impressive World Cup Club Championship performances with Al Hilal, has chosen to continue his Middle Eastern adventure rather than return to European football. This decision dashes Sevilla's hopes of reuniting with their former keeper, who had been their primary target for the summer transfer window.

Club sources reveal the Andalusian side had banked on Bounou's potential desire to return to Europe, but the Moroccan international appears to have found a new home in Riyadh. His extension comes as Al Hilal look to maintain their dominance in Saudi football, securing one of Africa's finest goalkeepers for their trophy ambitions.

For Sevilla, this represents a significant transfer setback, forcing them to explore alternative options between the posts. As for Bounou, the decision cements his status as a key figure in Saudi football's growing international appeal.

Increasingly distinctive performance

The ink drying on Yassine Bounou's contract extension tells more than just a contractual story - it confirms the Moroccan goalkeeper's coming-of-age as a global football force. Fresh off his Club World Cup heroics where he ranked third among the tournament's most prolific shot-stoppers, Bounou didn't just defend Al Hilal's goal; he defended his growing reputation as one of world football's elite keepers.

His inclusion in the competition's Team of the Year came through game-defining performances against powerhouses like Manchester City and Fluminense - displays that transformed him from player to protagonist on club football's biggest stage. These weren't just saves; they were statements.

By committing to Al Hilal until 2027, the 32-year-old does more than secure his future - he enters into a pact of mutual ambition with the Saudi giants. The club sees in him not just a safe pair of hands, but the foundation stone for their international aspirations. For Bounou, this represents more than employment; it's belief translated into long-term commitment.

As European clubs watch from the sidelines, this contract extension serves notice: Al Hilal aren't just keeping a goalkeeper - they're preserving the cornerstone of their global ambitions. The question now isn't about what Bounou left behind in Europe, but what he might yet achieve in Saudi Arabia's football revolution.