Moroccan midfielder who played with Memphis set to join Corinthians | OneFootball

Practically agreed with Corinthians, the Moroccan midfielder Zakaria Labyad, who has been a free agent since January, is expected to be the fifth reinforcement for Timão in this transfer window.

The player does not arrive with the status of a starter but as an option to strengthen Dorival Júnior's squad and provide competition for Rodrigo Garro, the undisputed starter in the position. Since he was without a club, the club's management approves the signing, believing that the deal does not compromise the team's finances.

Meet the new signing

Labyad began his career in 2010 at PSV. The midfielder took time to gain a foothold and, unable to establish himself as a starter, was transferred to Sporting in 2012.

After a promising start in Portuguese football, he was called up to the Moroccan national team but also failed to establish himself there. In the following years, he had stints at Vitesse-NED and Fulham-ENG before joining Utrecht-NED in 2017.

At the Dutch club, he experienced the best phase of his career. Between 2017 and 2018, he played 52 matches, scored 18 goals, and provided 12 assists, which led him to Ajax and back to the Moroccan national team.

However, he did not maintain the same performance, returned to Utrecht, and then moved to Chinese football. Throughout his career, he has played 359 matches, scored 81 goals, and provided 69 assists.

How does the midfielder play?

Labyad primarily operates in the central area of the field and is mainly known for his playmaking abilities. Although he is not a very fast player, he stands out for his vision and ability to organize the offensive sector, potentially being seen as a natural replacement for Garro.

However, the player's physical condition is a concern. Since 2024, Labyad has only played in Chinese football, including in the country's second division, which raises doubts about his pace and intensity for Brazilian football.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.