Corinthians coach, Dorival Júnior, distanced himself from the signing of Moroccan midfielder Zakaria Labyad, stating that the 32-year-old player's arrival was not based on his recommendation. The ex-Sporting player, who was free on the market, is expected to sign a contract valid until the end of 2026, after undergoing medical examinations this week. The news of the signing was announced by the club's president, Osmar Stábile and Labyad, who was present at the Neo Química Arena last Sunday, arrives at Corinthians after ending his connection with the Chinese side Dalian Yingbo. At a press conference, Dorival Júnior admitted to having little information about the new reinforcement, revealing that his knowledge is based on data provided by Memphis, with whom Labyad shared a dressing room at PSV, in the season before the Moroccan transferred to Sporting. «Zakaria wasn’t my request, but I’m here to coach the team. The team given to me, I will do. I don't know much about the athlete, I had some information about Memphis. If you come and may I add, you will be treated very well. It wasn't my recommendation, but there's no problem. He will be an important athlete», declared the coach. When asked again about the origin of the recommendation to sign the midfielder, Dorival Júnior chose not to provide further details, responding succinctly: «What I could say, I have already said». It is worth remembering that Zakaria Labyad trained together at PSV and the friendship between the two is well known, with the Dutch international commenting on a publication by Labyad in August 2025, writing: "Come to Brazil, brother." Labyad with Depay During his time at Sporting, Labyad played just 27 games – three goals and two assists – and was then loaned to Vitesse for two years. The Moroccan returned to the Lions in the 2015/2016 season, but only played for the B team, where he scored three goals in 14 games. Remember that Labyad's career also includes clubs such as Utrecht and Ajax, in the Netherlands, before heading to China to represent Dalian Yingbo. At the service of the Chinese club, he added 31 games, six goals and nine assists in 2024, after having registered 25 games, six goals and four assists the previous year, in the Chinese 2nd division.