ISL: Hijazi Maher extends stay at East Bengal

The Jordanian centre-back had been instrumental for East Bengal in the 2023-24 season.

East Bengal’s star centre-back Hijazi Maher has signed a contract extension, keeping him at the club for the next two seasons. As per reports in the media, the Jordanian defender had numerous offers from other ISL clubs as well as clubs outside India, but decided to stay with the Torch Bearers until the end of 2025-26 season. 

The 2023-24 season has been a bittersweet one for East Bengal. Whilst there was jubilation of finally lifting silverware after 12 years, agony also struck the Red & Gold Brigade, as they once again failed to clinch a spot in the ISL playoffs, and finished ninth in the points table. 

Despite the occasional bumps and roadblocks, East Bengal found a true gem in the backline this season, in the face of Hijazi Maher. 

The 26-year-old was brought in by East Bengal as an injury replacement for Jordan Elsey, and the Jordanian exceeded expectations by quickly adapting to Carles Cuadrat’s style of play. 

Hijazi Maher made a total of 17 appearances for East Bengal last season in the ISL, making his way into the ISL team of the week twice, and putting in quite a number of stellar performances. He also had a fantastic Super Cup campaign, wherein he scored two goals, one in the group stages, and the other in the semi-finals, and played a pivotal role in his team’s eventual acclamation as champions. 

What the future holds for East Bengal

After a disappointing ISL campaign yet again, East Bengal might now stare down the barrel of another major revamp, which might see a number of changes being made to the squad. The current situation of the team doesn’t look to be very good, and it is very evident from what transpires on the field, that something is going wrong. 

Carles Cuadrat has a tough task in his hands in the coming months – to draw his plans out, execute them to perfection, and build a team that can live up to its potential, and play at the level that it is expected to.

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