Yassir Zabiri marked his Racing Santander debut with a goal in Friday’s 4-1 friendly victory over Sporting Gijón. The 21-year-old Moroccan forward, on loan from Stade Rennais, struck in the 45th minute to underline an encouraging start to his spell in Spain.
Zabiri breaks the ice in Cantabrian colours
The forward opened his Racing account with a composed finish following Diego Díaz’s right-wing cross, tucking away the Cantabians’ third goal moments before the interval. Sporting had stunned the hosts by taking the lead inside the opening minute, but José Alberto’s side recovered to build a commanding 3-1 advantage by halftime before adding a fourth after the break.
Zabiri’s involvement lasted until the second half, when he was withdrawn as Racing completed their preparation schedule. The display offered an early positive signal as the Santander club prepares for their La Liga return this season—their first campaign in Spain’s top division since 2010.
Loan terms and Morocco’s emerging talent
The forward joined on a loan deal from Rennes that runs through 30 June 2027, with no purchase option attached. His French club engineered the move to provide him with regular competitive football, a crucial next step in his development. Zabiri, who won the U20 World Championship with Morocco in 2025 during his time at Famalicão, carries significant pedigree for a player stepping into La Liga for the first time.
What a quick impact signals for Racing’s La Liga ambitions
Arriving at a club entering its first top-flight season in over a decade, Zabiri’s immediate goal return suggests he can contribute meaningfully to Santander’s survival push. Rather than requiring a settling-in period, he showed composure in a testing situation—arriving at a ball in a crowded box and executing cleanly. For a 21-year-old on loan without a safety net of a future purchase clause, proving he belongs at this level swiftly was essential. Racing’s willingness to deploy him from the start, and his response, indicates the club believes he can operate as a genuine option in their attack once the competitive campaign begins.
