Algerian international Ismaël Bennacer is on the move. The 27-year-old midfielder has joined Croatian league leaders GNK Dinamo Zagreb on a season-long loan, with an option to buy, the club confirmed Friday on its official website.
Bennacer is expected in Zagreb shortly for medical tests before meeting his new teammates and fans.
Dinamo, already through to the Europa League group stage, hailed the signing, highlighting his European pedigree and versatility in midfield. “Bennacer is a valuable addition — his intelligence and top-level experience will be a big asset,” the club said.
The Algerian playmaker has built an impressive career across Europe, featuring for Tours, Empoli, AC Milan, and most recently Olympique de Marseille. He’s racked up 323 professional appearances, including 174 in Serie A, lifted the Scudetto with Milan in 2022, and reached the Champions League semifinals the following season.
On the international stage, Bennacer has earned 50 caps for Algeria, winning the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations and being named the tournament’s best player.
For Bennacer, this move could be the fresh start he needs — more playing time, less media pressure, and the perfect preparation ahead of AFCON 2025 in Morocco.
In Zagreb, he’ll link up with fellow Algerian Moncef Bakrar and follow the path of Hilal Soudani, another Algerian who once lit up Dinamo’s attack.
