Corinthians close to signing Zakaria Labyad on deal to 2026 | OneFootball

Corinthians are closing in on Moroccan midfielder Zakaria Labyad, who is expected to sign a deal running to the end of 2026.

According to Globo.com, president Osmar Stábile told reporters the move is practically certain, speaking at Arena Barueri on Saturday, where Corinthians’ women’s side lost the Supercopa to Palmeiras.

Only bureaucratic formalities remain before Labyad can travel to Brazil, sign and be announced as the club’s fifth recruit of this early campaign.

The board progressed the move because the player is a free agent, so no transfer fee is required, and his wages fit the club’s new financial reality.

Labyad featured alongside Memphis in 2011/2012, and in August 2025 the Dutchman urged him on Instagram to come to Brazil.

He came through PSV’s academy, like Memphis, then played for Sporting in Portugal, plus FC Utrecht and Ajax in the Netherlands, before moving to Dalian Yingbo in China for the past two seasons.

Source: Globo.com