Sofiane Bendjedid’s move to Al Ahly was more than just another deal in the summer transfer window. It came as the culmination of an exceptional season for the Moroccan striker with Maghreb Fes, before he embarked on a completely different challenge wearing the shirt of one of Africa’s biggest clubs.

Al Ahly officially announced the signing of Bendjedid on a three-year contract from Maghreb Fes, in a move aimed at strengthening the team’s attacking options ahead of the new season. The deal became the Red Giants’ third signing of the current transfer window, following the arrivals of Ali Mahmoud and Aqtay Abdullah from ENPPI.

An Exceptional Season Leads Bendjedid to Al Ahly

Sofiane Bendjedid firmly established himself as one of the standout players in Moroccan football last season, becoming a key figure for Maghreb Fes and helping the club win the Moroccan league title in the 2025-26 season.

The achievement was particularly significant for the club, as it ended a 41-year wait for the league championship.

Bendjedid’s contribution went beyond helping his team lift the trophy. The Moroccan striker also finished as the league’s top scorer after netting 20 goals in 30 appearances, in addition to providing two assists, numbers that drew the attention of several clubs.

The 24-year-old plays as a center-forward and has an estimated market value of around €2.2 million. He began his career in the youth ranks of Moroccan giants Raja Casablanca before moving to Belgian side Standard Liège. He later returned to Morocco through Maghreb Fes, where he enjoyed his breakthrough season.

From Controversy to an Official Transfer

The deal was completed following intensive efforts by Al Ahly’s management. Essam Serag El Din, the club’s director of recruitment, traveled to Morocco to finalize the financial and administrative details of the agreement in coordination with football director Wael Gomaa.

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Following the announcement, Al Ahly thanked Maghreb Fes and its president, Omar Benis, for their cooperation in completing the transfer, highlighting the strong relationship between the two clubs and the longstanding ties between Egypt and Morocco.

However, the transfer was not without controversy in Morocco. Reports suggested that the deal placed Maghreb Fes’ management in an awkward position, particularly after the club’s sports company president had reportedly denied, just days earlier, the existence of an official offer from Al Ahly and stressed the club’s desire to retain its key players ahead of the upcoming season.

Shortly afterward, however, Bendjedid officially became an Al Ahly player, bringing the speculation to an end and opening a new chapter in his career.

A First Message.. and Big Ambitions

Following the announcement of his move, the Moroccan striker sent a message to Al Ahly’s supporters, expressing his happiness at wearing the famous red shirt and describing his move to the “Club of the Century” as a major step in his career.

Bendjedid also emphasized his desire to live up to the expectations of Al Ahly’s massive fan base, pledging to give everything for the team and compete for every available title.

Al Ahly hopes the Moroccan striker can provide a genuine boost to its attack, particularly after his outstanding campaign with Maghreb Fes. For Bendjedid, meanwhile, the move represents a much bigger test in Egyptian and African football, where the pressure is greater and competition for trophies is fierce.

By joining Al Ahly, Sofiane Bendjedid begins a new journey from Morocco to Cairo, arriving as the Moroccan league’s top scorer and champion. But he knows that the numbers he produced last season are only the beginning—and that wearing the red shirt demands that he write an entirely new success story.