Latest News

‘Every team would want to sign him’ First January interest expressed in Celtic defender

|
Image for ‘Every team would want to sign him’ First January interest expressed in Celtic defender

Hapoel Beer Sheva have become the first club to register an interest in signing Hatem Abd Elhamed.

Last week it was revealed that the defender’s family had returned to Israel with the 28-year-old looking to be reunited with them in the January transfer window.

Elhamed has been in and out of the Celtic side this season, sharing right-back duties with Jeremie Frimpong or filling in as a third central defender.

Speaking to the Daily Record, Hapoel boss Yossi Abukasis said:

Hatem is an excellent player that every team would want to sign. If we can bring him here to the club it will be a huge blessing for us. But of course there are some excellent players at the club already and we’ll have to wait and see.

Our ambition this season is to get a European place again. We had a tough time in the Europa League this season and our aim is to get back there next season. It was tough because we had to play so many games, but our aim now is to keep climbing the table as quickly as possible.

Celtic paid Beer Sheva fee of £1.5m for Elhamed in the summer of 2019 and are likely to be looking to get most of that fee back with the player under contract until 2023.

With Kris Ajer impressing at right-back in Celtic’s last two matches Neil Lennon does have options although many fans feel that Frimpong can be vulnerable playing in a flat back four.

Elhamed has featured in 15 Celtic matches, the most recent being in the Europa League tie away to AC Milan.

Share this article

Online and independent- the only way to be. Enjoying instant news access and reaction, following the trends if not an influencer!