Ali Jassim Signs Contract with Zakho

Iraq international star Ali Jassim has finalized his future by officially signing with Zakho during the ongoing summer transfer window, thus bringing an end to a prolonged negotiation process with both Zakho and Erbil following the conclusion of the 2026 World Cup matches.

In recent days, the 22-year-old player traveled between Baghdad and Erbil to complete negotiations with interested clubs, with Zakho and Erbil being the most prominent and active in the local transfer market.

Zakho announced the completion of the contract through an official statement, saying: "World Cup star and Iraq national team player Ali Jassim has joined our ranks on a two-year deal in the Iraqi Premier League. The player has professional experience in Italy and possesses high technical abilities, and we hope he will start a new and successful phase with us."

Exclusive sources reported that Zakho's management insisted on purchasing the player's contract outright from Como in Italy to ensure his long-term stay. According to the sources, the management paid $650,000 to the Italian club to acquire his registration, noting that Jassim's contract with Como was set to expire next summer.

The sources added that Jassim will receive an annual salary of $1 million, making the total value of his contract over two seasons $2 million. The player preferred to return to Iraqi football in search of stability after a period of moving between several clubs since his transfer to Como in the summer of 2024.

The sources clarified that Zakho's management sought to finalize the agreement quickly, especially with concerns about rising tensions with Erbil, as the yellow castle fans were heavily relying on completing the deal after weeks of negotiations.

Zakho had opened its new season with a victory over North Gas, winning by a single goal scored by defender Mustafa Saadoun, a new arrival from Al-Shorta among the summer signings. With this signing, the club has now added three players from the Iraq national team, clearly indicating the management's ambition to compete strongly this season.