Wydad captain Jamal Harkass moves to Saudi Pro League

Central defender Jamal Harkass will play with Saudi Pro League side Damac Club this season after his transfer from Casablanca giants Wydad AC was confirmed on Tuesday evening.

Morocco 🇲🇦 strike back!

A perfect free kick service from Achraf Hakimi finds towering center back Jamal Harkass who heads in to level against Gabon 🇬🇦

1-1 through 15 minutes in Franceville.#CAN2025 #AFCON #AFCON2025 #AFCONQ2025 #AFCON2025Q pic.twitter.com/pTjQ1yrRHl

— Pan-Africa Football (@PanAfricaFooty) November 15, 2024

The 29-year-old Morocco international moves to Damac after the club paid Wydad a transfer fee reported to be €600,000. Harkass joins after two seasons with Wydad, including two appearances at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup for The Red Castle.

Harkass joined Wydad from Casablanca rivals Raja CA ahead of the 2022-23 season and previously represented Mouloudia Club Oujda, who he led to promotion from Morocco’s second tier league Botola 2 to the top flight Botola Pro at the end of the 2017-18 season. He was named in the Botola Pro’s Team of the Year while with Raja following the 2021-22 campaign and was named the club’s Player of the Year.

A transfer to Damac marks Harkass’ first venture outside his native Morocco. The club based in the southwest Saudi city of Khamis Mushait finished 14th place last season and has been in the top flight since winning promotion from the second tier for the 2019-20 season.

Harkass was rewarded for his strong performances in the domestic league by Morocco national team coach Walid Regragui, who called the Wydad captain up to make his first appearances for the Atlas Lions during 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying. The defender played every minute in four qualification games against Central African Republic, Gabon and Lesotho in October and November 2024.

After not being called in for Morocco’s recent 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying games, Harkass will now look to perform well at a high level to contend for a place on Regragui’s final squad when Morocco host the 2025 AFCON at home beginning in December. Damac begin the 2025-26 season on August 28 with a home game against newly promoted Al Hazem.