From captaining a club in deep financial crisis at the age of 20, to shining on Europe's biggest stage, Hakim Ziyech has plenty of experience on his journey.
He was prominent in street football, but now he has managed to sign a contract with the Premier League team, Chelsea. The midfielder from Morocco, born in the Netherlands, will be introduced to Chelsea at the end of this season, as the English team has already reached an agreement with Ajax, Koha Ditore writes today.
The transfer will cost 40 million euros. Although every expensive transfer becomes a topic of discussion in England, as much is expected of him, for the 26-year-old Ziyech this is not a problem, as he is already used to face the pressure.
As the youngest of nine children in his family, Ziyech lost his father at the age of ten and thus the responsibility fell on his mother, who had to support the family with a modest income.
Football became a particular focus for the family, with Hakim's two sisters hoping to make it in the sport. But as time went by, they didn't work out and it was Ziyech who took it upon himself to keep the dream alive.
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He developed his talent on the streets of the Dutch city of Dronten, successfully graduating from the academies of local clubs Reaal and ASV, before signing for Heerenveen at the age of 14.
(You can read the full article today in "Koha Ditore")
