Rabat – Spanish club Racing Santander have announced the signing of Moroccan forward Yassir Zabiri on loan from Stade Rennais until June 30, 2027.
The agreement allows the 21-year-old to secure regular first-team football in Spain after a limited opening spell with Rennes.
He joined the Ligue 1 club from Portuguese side Famalicão in February and remains under contract in France until 2029.
Zabiri made six appearances for Rennes during the second half of the 2025–2026 season, all from the bench, playing a total of 42 minutes without scoring.
His loan move is therefore intended to provide him with more consistent playing time and support the next stage of his development.
Racing will compete in La Liga during the coming campaign after securing promotion to the Spanish top flight for the first time in 14 years.
The Santander club are strengthening their squad as they prepare to face Spain’s leading teams during the 2026–2027 season.
World Cup success raised Zabiri’s profile
Zabiri emerged as one of Morocco’s most promising young players during the 2025 FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Chile.
The Marrakesh-born striker scored five goals during the competition and played a decisive role in Morocco’s first title at that level. He struck both goals in the Atlas Cubs’ 2-0 victory over Argentina in the final, opening the scoring with a direct free kick before adding a second goal later in the first half.
His performances earned him the Silver Ball as the tournament’s second-best player, behind Moroccan teammate Othmane Maamma. Zabiri also finished among the competition’s leading scorers.
Before moving to Europe, Zabiri spent nine years at the Mohammed VI Football Academy and began his professional career with Union Touarga. He recorded three goals and one assist in 11 appearances for the Rabat club before joining Famalicão in August 2024.
Rennes credited his movement, intelligent runs and composure in front of goal when announcing his signing. The French club’s official profile describes him as a left-footed forward capable of operating as the central reference in attack.
The move also fulfils Zabiri’s previously expressed ambition of playing in Spain. Following the Under-20 World Cup, he spoke about his admiration for La Liga and described Spanish football as attractive and technically appealing.
Zabiri will now seek to translate his success at youth international level into regular senior performances. His progress at Racing will be closely followed in Morocco as the national team continues to assess emerging options for its future attacking line.
