Al Hazem sign Tunisia defender Mohamed Amine Ben Hamida from Esperance

Saudi Arabian club Al Hazem have signed Tunisia defender Mohamed Amine Ben Hamida from Esperance de Tunis, completing a move that takes the 30-year-old outside the Tunisian league for the first time in his career.

Ben Hamida can operate both as a centre-back and at left-back, giving Al Hazem further defensive versatility ahead of the new Saudi Pro League season. The transfer comes only days after Esperance parted company with another defender, Mohamed Amine Tougai.

Ben Hamida leaves Esperance having collected 10 major honours during his career. He won the Tunisian league title five times, lifted the Tunisian Super Cup on three occasions and claimed the Tunisian Cup twice.

The defender was also included in Tunisia’s squad for the World Cup and played in all three of the Carthage Eagles’ matches at the tournament. Tunisia were beaten by Sweden, Japan and the Netherlands before being eliminated in the group stage.

Ben Hamida was a regular for Esperance last season, making 38 appearances across all competitions. He scored once and provided three assists during the campaign.

His move to Al Hazem represents his first experience of playing outside Tunisia. The Saudi club will compete in the Saudi Pro League in the coming season after finishing ninth in the previous campaign with 42 points.

Al Hazem ended last season eight points behind seventh place, the position that secured qualification for the Gulf Arab Cup.