01.09.2026
Zakaria El Ouahdi joins HSV
The 24-year-old Morocco international has joined HSV from KRC Genk. Claus Costa: “In Zaka, we are signing a very dynamic, attack-minded full-back whose energy and brave style of play are an excellent fit for the way we want to play.”
Hamburger SV have strengthened their options on the right flank with the signing of Zakaria El Ouahdi. The 24-year-old joins HSV from Belgian top-flight side KRC Genk. Born in Belgium, El Ouahdi represents Morocco at international level and recently featured at the World Cup. He underwent his medical examinations at the Athleticum at the Volkspark on Sunday (30 August) before subsequently signing his contract. El Ouahdi will wear the number 7 shirt for HSV.
“Zaka’s career path so far has been impressive. He has worked his way up from Belgian amateur football to become a professional and a Morocco international, and has been one of Genk’s key performers in recent years. He has achieved all of this through his own efforts, which is a clear indication of just how ambitious he is and how much potential he still has to develop. He is now making the step up to the Bundesliga and wants to take the next step in his career at HSV. We are looking forward to continuing this journey together and would like to warmly welcome Zaka,” says Executive Board Member for Sport Kathleen Krüger.
Kathleen Krüger and Claus Costa welcome new signing El Ouahdi. The trio hold up the number 7 shirt together.
Sporting director Claus Costa adds: “In Zaka, we are signing a very dynamic, attack-minded full-back whose energy and brave style of play are an excellent fit for the way we want to play. His determination, ability to make runs in behind and quality in the final third give him many of the attributes we were looking for in this position. We are delighted that Zaka is now part of our club and our team.”
El Ouahdi arrives following a summer in which he represented Morocco, his parents’ homeland, at the World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the United States. The right-footer made his only appearance of the tournament in the 2-0 quarter-final defeat to France, which was also his fourth senior international cap. El Ouahdi was born in Hoboken, Belgium, on 31 December 2001. He began his senior career in 2020 with FC Rupel Boom in the Belgian third tier before moving to second-division side RWDM the following year. He won promotion to Belgium’s top flight with the club in 2023 before joining KRC Genk later that same year.
During his three years with Genk, El Ouahdi made 116 competitive appearances, scoring 20 goals and providing 13 assists. Those appearances included 11 in European competition. Following the arrival of Bilal Nadir earlier this summer, he now becomes the second Moroccan player in HSV’s history.
“I’m very happy to have joined HSV. It’s a big club in Germany with a rich history,” says the new signing. “I can’t wait to play at the Volkspark. From what I’ve heard, the stadium is always full. I want to excite the fans with the way I play, and I can promise that I will always give my best for the club.”
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