Zakaria El Ouahdi

El Ouahdi has signed with Hamburger SV from KRC Genk, according to the club. Sporting director Claus Costa said "With Zaka we are signing a very dynamic and offensively oriented full back whose energy and bold style of play fits excellently with our playing philosophy."

Analysis: El Ouahdi made 116 competitive appearances for Genk over three years, contributing 20 goals and 13 assists, including 11 in European competition, after rising through Belgium's lower divisions with Rupel Boom and RWDM before earning promotion to the top flight. The 24 year old right back featured once for Morocco at this summer's World Cup in the quarterfinal loss to France, his fourth cap for the country, and will wear the number 7 shirt as he becomes the second Moroccan in Hamburg's history alongside fellow summer signing Bilal Nadir.

Jul 9, 2026

Earns first World Cup cap

El Ouahdi generated one clearance in Thursday's 2-0 defeat versus France.

Analysis: El Ouahdi was welcomed onto the field for his first-ever World Cup minutes Thursday, playing 16 minutes from the bench. The defender did little in his time on the field, earning a clearance, drawing one foul while committing another and completing seven passes. He will hope for more time next World Cup, as Morocco is likely to make it again in 2030.