Hijazi Maher signs a two-year extension with East Bengal FC, which will keep him until the end of the 2025-26 season. One of the top-performing defenders in Indian football last season, the 26-year-old Jordanian was adjudged the Best Defender in East Bengal’s victorious Kalinga Super Cup 2024 campaign.
Since joining the Red & Gold Brigade in September last year, Hijazi has so far played 1,938 minutes across 22 matches (17 in the ISL and 5 in the Kalinga Super Cup).
Hijazi said, “East Bengal holds a special place in my heart. I’ve experienced many special moments with this great club and I can feel how much the fans love me. They give me a lot of energy for every game and I always try to make them happy in return. The Kalinga Super Cup was the first trophy I won outside Jordan. We want to scale even greater heights next season. I would like to thank Coach Carles and the Emami East Bengal management for trusting my abilities. I can’t wait to return to Kolkata.”
Head Coach Carles Cuadrat said, “Hijazi has become an important player in our defensive system, achieving incredible numbers in clearances, aerial duels and interceptions. His solidity was one of the prime reasons why we could achieve the best defensive numbers since our entry into the ISL. Hijazi got offers from other clubs, but decided to play for us and help us in our AFC campaign and other important competitions.”
Picture Courtesy: East Bengal Media
