Aymen Barkok's Journey in Football
Aymen Barkok appears to have found his footing in the world of football, as he embarks on a promising journey with Raja Casablanca in Morocco, where he is vying for the championship title. The 27-year-old midfielder, who once garnered acclaim as a rising star at Eintracht Frankfurt, has transitioned to a new chapter in his career on the African continent. Currently, Barkok is working diligently with his team in the Botola Pro, Morocco's premier football league, striving to secure a top position in the standings—a significant shift from his days at the Waldstadion to the vibrant shores of the Atlantic.
Barkok's formative years were spent honing his skills in the youth academies of SG Praunheim and Rot-Weiß Frankfurt before gaining recognition with Kickers Offenbach. His career took a pivotal turn in 2013 when he signed with Eintracht Frankfurt, where he quickly established himself as one of the most promising talents of his generation. In 2016, Barkok signed his first professional contract with the club, valid until 2020, and shortly thereafter, he made his Bundesliga debut in an away match against Werder Bremen. He made an immediate impact by scoring the decisive goal in the 90th minute, securing a thrilling 2-1 victory.
Achievements and Transition
The pinnacle of Barkok's tenure at Eintracht Frankfurt was in 2018 when he was part of the squad that clinched the DFB-Pokal title with an impressive 3-1 victory over Bayern Munich under the guidance of coach Niko Kovač. Four years later, he was once again part of the team that celebrated victory in the UEFA Europa League, marking another significant milestone in the club's history.
Despite his technical prowess and offensive capabilities, Barkok struggled to cement a permanent spot as a starter at Eintracht. Between 2018 and 2020, he was loaned to Fortuna Düsseldorf, and following the expiration of his contract with Frankfurt, he joined 1. FSV Mainz 05, where he again faced challenges in securing a stable position. In January 2024, he was loaned to Hertha BSC for the second half of the season, and by February 2025, he had signed with FC Schalke 04 in the 2. Bundesliga.
It was in January 2026 that Barkok found a fresh start, signing a two-and-a-half-year contract with Raja Casablanca—one of North Africa's most storied clubs, boasting twelve championship titles in the Botola Pro. This move also marks a personal return to his Moroccan roots, as he holds dual citizenship in Germany and Morocco. Barkok has chosen to represent the Moroccan national team, having played 18 international matches thus far.
This season, Raja Casablanca is performing well, currently positioned third in the Botola Pro and working hard to close the gap at the top of the table. For Barkok, this opportunity in Casablanca represents a late yet exciting chance to make an impact; with his experience from the Bundesliga and Europa League, he could be the catalyst that Raja needs to bridge the gap and secure the championship title.
As reported by fr.de.
