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IKOLI VICTOR
Doha
Al Sadd SC and Qatari international defender Abdelkarim Hassan will arrive at his new Belgian Jupiler Pro League club KAS Eupen on Thursday after agreeing a loan deal for the 2017/18 season.
The 23-year-old Aspire Academy graduate recently signed a three-year contract extension with Al Sadd but was subsequently loaned by the club to the Aspire-owned club.
Abdelkarim plays as a left back for Al Sadd and is set to replace another Qatari Fahad al Abdulrahman, who returns to Al Sadd SC.
"It has always been my dream to play in Europe. Now I get the chance in Eupen. I am really looking forward to this new experience. I am highly motivated and ready to give everything for the KAS Eupen," Abdellkarim said in a statement on the club's website.
KAS Director General Christoph Henkel said he is delighted with the experienced Qatari defender.
"I have seen Abdelkarim play more often and was always enthusiastic about his physique and his commitment. We are very pleased he would be arriving in Eupen on Thursday to join the team in preparation for the new season. At this point, I would like to thank Fahad al Abdulrahman, who has always given everything for the club with his fighting spirit and has also spread his good mood in the team, once again," he said.
"We want to strengthen ourselves in all the departments -defence, midfield and attack. We are negotiating with other players and hope to announce further new signings in the days ahead," Henkel added.
In addition to Abdelkarim, the club has also signed Nicolas Verdier as well as Aspire Academy newcomers Souleymane Aw, Abdul Manaf Nurudeen and Carlos Martinez Castro.
Abdelkarim and his Eupen teammates will resume action in the new season on July 29 against Zulte-Waregem.
Abdelkarim is one of the most influential players in the Al Sadd line-up and also for the Qatar national team.
He played an important role last season as the Wolves won the Qatar Cup, Emir Cup and finished as QSL runner-up.
The overlapping defender was part of the 2011 all-conquering team that won the AFC Champions League trophy where he was the youngest member of the squad at 17.
The 54-time capped Qatari national player has made 89 appearances for the Wolves scoring 19 goals in the process. He has spent the last two years in the club with Barcelona legend Xavi Hernandez.
KAS Eupen currently plays in the Jupiler Pro League (1st Division) and serves an important role in the philosophy of Aspire Academy.
