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Elhamed joins Celtic for £1.6 million
Hapoel Beer Sheva full-back Hatem Abd Elhamed has agreed a two-year deal with Celtic.
July 24, 2019 15:29
Hapoel Beer Sheva full-back Hatem Abd Elhamed has agreed a two-year deal with Celtic.
July 24, 2019 15:29The Bhoys will pay Beer Sheva a £1.6 million transfer fee. Elhamed, 28, was born in the Galilee Arab village of Kafr Manda and as a schoolboy rose through the ranks of Bnei Sakhnin before joining Maccabi Tel Aviv.
He joined Ashdod and was sent out on loan to Charleroi and Gent in Belgium and Dinamo Bucarest before joining Beer Sheva last year.
"It is an absolute honour to sign for this great club, one of the world’s truly great football clubs and I could not be happier," said Abd Elhamed.
“When you play football you want to climb to the top and be the best you can be, and I know that I have found the best place for me - a club that has a tradition of playing quick, attacking, exciting and successful football and I am delighted that I am going to be part of this.
Elhamed will team up with fellow Israeli and midfielder Nir Bitton, who recommended the defender, at Celtic and becomes Neil Lennon's fourth signing of the summer.
"Celtic is my club now and I want to do all I can to continue to bring success to our supporters," said Elhamed. "I know the Celtic fans are the best around and I can’t wait to meet them, to pull on the famous Celtic jersey and play in front of them. I will give everything to the club.”
One of Elhamed’s first games could be against Maccabi Tel Aviv next month in the Champions League third qualifying round next month if the Israeli champions can beat Romania's Cluj and Celtic can overcome Estonian champions Nomme Kaliju.
Celtic boss Neil Lennon is delighted with his latest arrival. "We are really pleased to bring Hatem to Celtic, another player we think can make an important contribution to the club.
“He is a player with real attributes, he is strong and quick and I have been impressed with what I have seen of him. We look forward to welcoming him to Celtic and joining up with the squad.”