NorthEast United FC rope in Hamza Regragui from Wydad AC on a 1.5-year deal
Indian Super League (ISL) outfit NorthEast United FC have roped in the service of centre-back Hamza Regragui on a one-and-half-year deal. He joins the Highlanders after a stint with Moroccan club Wydad AC.
The 26-year-old defender started his professional football journey with Málaga CF U-19 before making a move to RS Berkane in 2017. Hamza made 163 appearances at RS Berkane, winning six trophies with the club.
He severed the Moroccan club till the end of the 2022-23 season and won the CAF Super Cup once, the CAF Confederations Cup twice, and the Moroccan Cup three times during his six tenure with the club.
In July 2023, the Moroccan joined Wydad AC and will next ply his trade for NorthEast United FC in the Kalinga Super Cup and the Indian Super League.
Hamza will be reuniting with head coach Juan Pedro Benali, having played under his guidance in the past. Expressing his excitement about joining the franchise and reuniting with Pedro Benali, the defender said in a press release:
"I am truly thrilled to be joining NorthEast United FC and reuniting with Coach Juan Pedro Benali. The vision of the management and the exciting prospect of playing in the Indian Super League were key factors in my decision to make this move. I believe in the project here, and I am eager to contribute to the team. I can't wait to get started and be a part of something special with the Highlanders."
Pedro Benali, who coached Hamza during his early footballing days, heaped praise on the 26-year-old defender and said in the press release:
"Hamza brings a dynamic presence to the team, capable of playing anywhere on the field. His dedication and positive attitude align perfectly with the values we uphold at NorthEast. We believe that together, we can create something special here, and Hamza will play a crucial role in that journey."
Hamza Regragui will join the NorthEast United squad for the ongoing Kalinga Super Cup 2024 in Bhubaneswar. He will join the team shortly and will be available for selection from the next game.
NorthEast United FC's run in Kalinga Super Cup 2024
The Highlanders started their Kalinga Super Cup 2024 campaign with a loss against Jamshedpur FC. However, they still have two games to bounce back and qualify for the semifinals.
NorthEast United will next take on Shillong Lajong on January 15 before locking horns with Kerala Blasters FC in their final group-stage match on January 20. Both matches will be played at the Kalinga stadium in Bhubaneswar.