Dutch-born Moroccan descent Hamza El Dahri completes switch to Almere City FC following Sparta Rotterdam departure

Hamza El Dahri has officially signed with Almere City FC, ending his spell at Sparta Rotterdam.

The 20-year-old midfielder has committed to a two-year deal with the club recently relegated to the Dutch second division.

The transfer was confirmed on Tuesday evening, marking a fresh chapter in El Dahri’s career as he leaves his hometown of Rotterdam in pursuit of greater opportunities with Almere City.

A Dutch-born talent of Moroccan descent, El Dahri will be hoping to establish himself further at senior level after limited top-flight experience with Sparta.

El Dahri featured prominently in Sparta’s recent relegation play-off matches, playing both legs in full against Feyenoord’s Under-21 side.

Despite his efforts, the Rotterdam club fell short, sealing their drop from the Eredivisie.

Throughout the 2024–25 campaign, the midfielder made a total of seven senior appearances for Sparta, five of which came in the Dutch top division.

While opportunities at first-team level were limited, his potential and versatility caught the attention of Almere City’s technical staff.

“We are excited about Hamza’s arrival. He is a player with strong character and excellent vision on the ball. His hunger to grow aligns perfectly with our ambitions,” an Almere City spokesperson stated following the announcement.

For El Dahri, the move is both a new beginning and a chance to gain regular minutes at a competitive level.

Almere City, having suffered relegation at the close of last season, are keen to rebuild with young, dynamic talent as they aim for a swift return to the Eredivisie.

Born and raised in Rotterdam, El Dahri has been part of Sparta’s system for several years and was considered one of the club’s promising academy graduates.

Welkom bij Almere City FC, Hamza el Dahri! ????#WelkomHamza #AlmereCity #BetterTogether pic.twitter.com/Fnt6Gq4ZU6

— Almere City FC (@AlmereCityFC) June 17, 2025

His decision to part ways with the club where he took his first steps in professional football signals a desire to take the next leap in his development.

Though uncapped at international level, El Dahri’s Moroccan heritage has previously sparked interest from national team observers.

A consistent run with Almere City in the coming season could further elevate his profile both domestically and abroad.

Almere City are expected to unveil El Dahri officially at their training ground later this week as the squad begins its preparations for the upcoming Eerste Divisie campaign.