Profile: Who is Hamza Regragui, the newest addition to the NorthEast United FC roster?

Hamza Regragui has experience playing under NorthEast United head coach Juan Pedro Benali earlier.

NorthEast United FC of the Indian Super League (ISL) has added Hamza Regragui to its roster. In addition to being a skilled centre-back, he excels as a versatile defensive midfielder. To help the Highlanders’ campaign for the balance of the season, the 26-year-old Moroccan U-23 international will be making his first trip to India. He will bring with him a wealth of experience that he gained during his time in both Spain and Morocco. Under Juan Pedro Benali, the Highlanders have recently regained their momentum.

NorthEast United FC has signed the Moroccan to a one-and-a-half-year contract from Wydad AC on a free transfer. Beginning his football career in Morocco, Hamza Regragui played for Primera Federacion club Malaga CF’s U-19 side on a one-year loan deal. After playing in the Los Boquerones, the Moroccan defender went back to his native country.

The upcoming Indian football season of Hamza Regragui is highly anticipated. Highlanders supporters anticipate that the defender, who possesses a great deal of tactical acumen to support the backline, will assume defensive responsibilities. Here’s a peek at what Hamza brings to the table as the eagerness for his arrival grows:

Prior Experience

In 2015, Hamza Regragui made his debut as a professional. He was representing Mohammed VI Football Academy, his childhood club in Morocco. The defender was a member of the team before going on loan to play for Malaga CF’s U-19 squad in the Primera Federacion for the 2015–16 campaign, where he made seven appearances.

Following his time in Spain, Hamza was involved in a loan agreement once again, this time to Kenitra AC in the Botola Pro 1. In a 1-2 Botola loss to Difaâ Hassani El Jadidi on May 14, 2017, he made his debut and only appearance for Kénitra as an 80th-minute substitute. Later on in his career, he joined RS Berkane, where he has played for the majority of it.

While playing for RS Berkane, in the Moroccan Throne Cup quarter-finals of 2017, he scored a hat-trick against JS Kasbah Tadla. He participated in 24 Botola Cup games in 2017–18 and six CAF Confederation Cup games in 2018 as the team advanced to the quarter-finals. He took home the 2018 Moroccan Throne Cup in the 2018 season itself.Hamza Regragui was also an integral part of the RS Berkane team that won the 2020 CAF Confederation Cup. In the 2020–21 Moroccan Throne Cup finals, Berkane defeated Wydad AC on penalties with Hamza winning his second Throne Cup victory.

He entered the game in the 80th minute and helped Berkane win the 2022 CAF Confederation Cup final on penalties against Orlando Pirates. On 10th September 2022, Berkane won the 2022 CAF Super Cup 2–0 against Wydad AC as Hamza added his sixth and final silverware to his exhibit with the Botola Pro 1 side. In 2023, he joined Wydad AC on a one-year contract.

Patrice Beaumelle called up Regragui to the Morocco national under-23 team on August 18, 2019, ahead of their match against Mali U-23 in the 2019 U-23 Africa Cup of Nations qualification round. He was called up as an overage player by Hicham Dmiai to the Moroccan squad for the 2021 Islamic Solidarity Games on July 28, 2022. On August 12, 2022, Regragui scored his first goal for his country against the U-23 Azerbaijani team. Regragui made his Morocco ‘A’ national team debut in a friendly match against Qatar on August 20, 2022.

Type of Player

Hamza Regragui is a player who thrives on his defensive duties as a central defender. Being a versatile player, he can bridge the gap between the backline and the midfield when played as a makeshift defensive midfielder. Pairing up with players like Michel Zabaco and Mohammed Bemmamer, NorthEast United will be showcasing some stealth artillery in the deep.

His passing skills and ability to find the spaces from deep make him a valuable acquisition under Juan Pedro Benali’s tactical acumen. His precision with through balls can turn out to be a lethal weapon with players like Jithin MS, Nestor Albiach, and Tomi Juric upfront.

What does he bring to the team?

He brings in his wealth of experience gained from his stint in Spain and Morocco as well. The team and their fans will be relying on him to be the defensive apostle of NorthEast United with his addition to the squad.

For the remainder of the season, The Highlanders appear to be on the right track with their plan to improve their league standings. Hamza Regragui may be the difference-maker as they concede fewer goals, which will be crucial to the team’s success.

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