Hakim Ziyech finally seals Galatasaray move after Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s ‘Free Hakim’ dig at Chelsea
Hakim Ziyech completed his move to Galatasaray on Saturday, bringing to an end a miserable final season at Chelsea and a transfer window of heartbreak. The Morocco international had come close to joining Paris Saint-Germain in January, only for an administration error by Chelsea in the final few hours of the transfer window to see the move fall through. Then, this summer, his proposed transfer to the Saudi Pro League collapsed after a knee issue was spotted in his medical.
The midfielder finally secured his Chelsea exit this weekend as he finalised his loan move to Galatasaray for a £3 million fee. And in his message to Ziyech, former teammate Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang suggested that Chelsea had become a prison for his former teammate as the striker wrote: ‘All the best my bro. Free Hakim.’
Aubameyang was also among the departures at Chelsea this summer as he joined Marseille on a free transfer. And the former Arsenal captain got off the mark earlier this week as he scored twice in Marseille’s Champions League qualifier against Panathinaikos, although the French side were dumped out on penalties.
Ziyech, meanwhile, was given a huge ovation by Galatasaray supporters as he was unveiled on the pitch in their 2-0 win over Trabzonspor. Galatasaray won their first Turkish Super Lig title since 2019 last season and must now beat Molde in their Champions League qualifier to reach the group stage.
Hakim Ziyech’s Chelsea Struggles
Hakim Ziyech endured a difficult time at Chelsea after joining from Ajax in 2020. Despite being one of the most highly rated players in Europe at the time of his signing, Ziyech struggled to make an impact at Stamford Bridge and started just six Premier League games last season.
The Moroccan international was linked with a move away from Chelsea in January, with Paris Saint-Germain looking like the most likely destination. However, an administration error by Chelsea in the final few hours of the transfer window saw the move fall through.
Ziyech then suffered further transfer heartbreak this summer when his proposed transfer to the Saudi Pro League collapsed after a knee issue was spotted in his medical.
Galatasaray Move
The midfielder finally secured his Chelsea exit this weekend as he finalised his loan move to Galatasaray for a £3 million fee. Ziyech was given a huge ovation by Galatasaray supporters as he was unveiled on the pitch in their 2-0 win over Trabzonspor.
Galatasaray won their first Turkish Super Lig title since 2019 last season and must now beat Molde in their Champions League qualifier to reach the group stage. With Ziyech now in their ranks, they will be confident of making it through.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s Message
In his message to Ziyech, former teammate Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang suggested that Chelsea had become a prison for his former teammate as the striker wrote: ‘All the best my bro. Free Hakim.’
Aubameyang was also among the departures at Chelsea this summer as he joined Marseille on a free transfer. And the former Arsenal captain got off the mark earlier this week as he scored twice in Marseille’s Champions League qualifier against Panathinaikos, although the French side were dumped out on penalties.
Conclusion
Hakim Ziyech has finally sealed his move away from Chelsea after a difficult final season at Stamford Bridge and a transfer window of heartbreak. The midfielder has joined Galatasaray on loan for a £3 million fee and will be hoping to help them reach the Champions League group stages. Former teammate Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang wished him well with a cheeky ‘Free Hakim’ message, suggesting that Chelsea had become a prison for him.