Hatem Abd Elhamed is reportedly set to become Celtic’s next summer signing with the Scottish Premiership champions paying £1.6m for the Hapoel ace.
Back in April, Dudu Duhan took to Instagram to post a photo of himself stood in front of Celtic Park. Now, perhaps we know why.
It just so happens that the influential agent has represented some of Celtic’s most unpopular players of the last decade. He was responsible for bringing Efe Ambrose, Stefan Scepovic and the disastrous Rami Gershon to Glasgow, after all. At least Israel international Nir Bitton has been something of a success in Scottish football.
And it is surely no coincidence that, just three months after Duhan returned to Celtic, the Premiership champions are set to sign another of his clients.
According to the Scottish Sun, Hapoel Be’er Sheva defender Hatem Abd Elhamed is on his way to Scotland with Celtic agreeing to pay £1.6 million for the privilege. The 28-year-old is set to sign a four-year deal worth £7,000-a-week.
Given how Celtic’s previous dealings with Duhan have ended up, supporters are understandably concerned about the impending arrival of a Israeli defender who few have heard of outside of his own country.
But those who have dug a little deeper appear to have discovered a talented, versatile and remarkably quick player capable of playing in a variety of positions, including centre-half, defensive midfield and, usefully, right-back.
This is a deal that is going to divide supporters right down the middle until Abd Elhamed gets a chance to prove what he’s all about on the Parkhead pitch.
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