Official: Corinthians confirm signing of Moroccan midfielder Zakaria Labyad

In partnership with

Central do Timão

·20 février 2026

Official: Corinthians confirm signing of Moroccan midfielder Zakaria Labyad

By Henrique Pereira / Central do Timão Editorial Team

On the afternoon of this Friday (20th), Corinthians officially announced the signing of midfielder Zakaria Labyad, 33 years old, until the end of the current season. The Moroccan is the team's sixth reinforcement for this year. Previously, the following players were signed: defender Gabriel Paulista, right-back Pedro Milans, defensive midfielder Allan, midfielder Matheus Pereira, and forward Kaio César.

A free agent since the end of the 2025 season, when he left Dalian Yingbo of China, Labyad arrives at Parque São Jorge without any transfer costs, an aspect considered positive by the Corinthians board, which has repeatedly emphasized that this is the profile for signings this season.

Vidéos OneFootball

Photo: Corinthians/Disclosure

Negotiations between the club and the player began back in 2025, but ended up being interrupted due to the transfer ban suffered by Corinthians. Between August of last year and January 2026, Timão was unable to register new players, which delayed the progress of the agreement. The deal was also facilitated by the friendship between Labyad and Memphis Depay. The two played together at PSV, in the Netherlands, at the beginning of the last decade, which helped bring him closer to the São Paulo club.

The Moroccan has already been registered in the CBF's Daily Information Bulletin (BID) and can now make his debut for Corinthians – see below

Photo: CBF/Reproduction

Labyad's Career, Corinthians' New Signing

Developed in the youth ranks of PSV, in the Netherlands, alongside Memphis Depay, the Moroccan midfielder emerged as a great prospect and had standout seasons early in his career, but was unable to reach the high level that was expected of him.

Zakaria Labyad has played for Sporting (Portugal), Vitesse and Utrecht (Netherlands), Fulham (England), Yunna Yukun and Dalian Yingbo (both in China). He has also been called up to the Moroccan national team throughout his career.

See more: