Noureddine Amrabat Joins Utrecht: A Veteran's Return to Europe

Noureddine Amrabat is back in Europe. At 39, the Moroccan winger has signed for Dutch side Utrecht on a free transfer, ending a brief but eventful spell with Wydad in Casablanca.

His return comes after just one season in Morocco, a year overshadowed by financial turbulence at Wydad. Under new president Brahim El Asri, the club imposed strict austerity measures and refused to renew a raft of contracts. Amrabat was among the casualties, departing as the club wrestled with salary delays late in the campaign.

On the pitch, his numbers were modest but steady: 4 goals and 4 assists in 38 appearances. Off it, his experience and personality still carried weight in a dressing room trying to navigate instability.

Utrecht moved quickly. The Eredivisie club announced his arrival on Tuesday via a statement on their website, confirming that Amrabat had earned his deal after a short trial. Two weeks of training were enough. The coaching staff liked what they saw, and the former Morocco international has now been cleared to play in official matches.

Family played its part. His younger brother, Sofyan Amrabat – who came through Utrecht’s youth system before building his own career in Europe – helped open the door, liaising with the club’s hierarchy to arrange the trial period that led to the contract.

For Utrecht, this is not just a sentimental signing. They gain a seasoned, versatile attacker schooled in Dutch football’s foundations, with early chapters of his career written at Ajax, Huizen and PSV. He arrives as a player who has seen almost everything the game can throw at him, from European nights to domestic title races and the pressure of international duty.

The timing is sharp. Utrecht head into a fifth-round league fixture against GA Eagles on Saturday, and Amrabat is now eligible. Whether he starts or comes from the bench, one question hangs over the weekend: how much impact can a 39-year-old with a point to prove still have in the Eredivisie?