Transfer news: Ismaël Bennacer signs with Al-Gharafa in Qatar

The length of his contract with Al-Gharafa has not been disclosed. Bennacer had been a free agent since amicably terminating his contract with the Milan club over the summer, ending a journey that began in 2019 when he arrived from Empoli.

The midfielder recently returned from a loan spell at Dinamo Zagreb, where he played 20 matches last season, scored two goals, and contributed to the Croatian club’s domestic double of league and cup titles.Dinamo had notably included him on their list for the Europa League in February.

Bennacer joined AC Milan in 2019 after two seasons at Empoli. He was part of the team that won the Serie A title in the 2021-2022 season, but several injuries hindered his ability to maintain a consistent presence at the highest level.

His recent path included a loan to Olympique de Marseille in 2025, followed by a stint at Dinamo Zagreb. According to Reuters, he had not played an official match for the Rossoneri since 2025.

An Algerian international and winner of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, Bennacer leaves Milan with a record of 178 matches and eight goals in the Rossoneri jersey.