Maribor has secured the services of highly-regarded Ecuadorian defensive midfielder Óscar Zambrano, with the 21-year-old inking a long-term deal through 2029. The player is currently serving a suspension after a medication he used was found to contain a prohibited substance, and he will not be available to play until after November 3. Zambrano's move follows a loan spell at Hull City last season, after which he returned to LDU Quito. Cem Basgul, Maribor's sporting director, revealed that the player's unfortunate suspension created the opportunity for the club to acquire him. Basgul lauded Zambrano's exceptional potential, stating his profile and technical skills are an ideal match for the team's tactical approach and that he is expected to be a key addition for the second half of the season. The midfielder, with a market valuation of 2.5 million euros, had previously attracted interest from clubs like Ajax and Sao Paulo following his debut with LDU Quito.