Wydad Athletic Club has officially confirmed the return of Moroccan left-back Yahya Attiat Allah, signing him to a one-year contract as part of their strategic preparations for the upcoming 2026–2027 season. The announcement came on Sunday evening, marking the reunion with a player who previously achieved significant domestic and continental success during his initial tenure with the club.
While the club has not disclosed the financial specifics of this agreement, nor clarified whether there is an option for an additional year, the return of the 31-year-old player is seen as a pivotal move. Attiat Allah comes back to Casablanca after a stint with Russian club PFC Sochi and a loan period at the Egyptian powerhouse Al Ahly during the 2024–2025 season. Although Al Ahly's deal with Sochi included a potential for a permanent transfer, Attiat Allah ultimately returned to the Russian side.
Prior to this announcement, reports indicated that Wydad regarded Attiat Allah as an experienced solution to address their ongoing challenges at the left-back position—a role that has proven difficult to solidify consistently since his departure.
A Successful Tenure with Wydad
Attiat Allah first joined Wydad in late 2019 after a brief engagement with Greek club Volos. He quickly established himself as a key player on the left flank of the defense, contributing significantly during one of the club's most prosperous recent eras. The Safi-born defender was instrumental in helping Wydad clinch consecutive Botola Pro titles during the 2020–2021 and 2021–2022 seasons. Furthermore, he played a crucial role in the team’s victory over Al Ahly, where they triumphed 2-0 in Casablanca to secure the 2022 CAF Champions League title.
The following year, Wydad made another continental final appearance, where Attiat Allah scored in the second leg against Al Ahly at the Mohammed V Stadium. However, despite his efforts, the Egyptian side managed to equalize late in the game, ultimately winning the title with a 3-2 aggregate score. His return aligns with Wydad's broader strategy of reintroducing experienced players who are familiar with the club's ethos and demands. In tandem with Attiat Allah, Wydad has also re-signed former captain Yahya Jabrane on a one-season deal and secured agreements with another ex-midfielder, Aymane El Hassouni.
Adding World Cup Experience to the Squad
Attiat Allah's profile was further elevated during Morocco's remarkable run at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. His prominence increased when Noussair Mazraoui sustained an injury, and he subsequently provided the assist for Youssef En-Nesyri's game-winning goal against Portugal in the quarter-finals. This victory made Morocco the first African and Arab nation to reach the semi-finals of a men’s World Cup.
After leaving Wydad for Sochi in February 2024 and later joining Al Ahly on a season-long loan, Attiat Allah's rich experience across leagues in Morocco, Russia, Greece, and Egypt, coupled with his international exposure, positions him as a solid option for Wydad’s left side of defense. The one-year contract not only offers Attiat Allah a chance to regain regular playing time in a familiar environment but also reflects Wydad's recruitment strategy focused on players who have previously delivered significant titles for the club.
As reported by moroccoworldnews.com.
