Al-Khaldiya strengthen defence with Morocco international Abdelhak Assal

Morocco centre-back Abdelhak Assal has joined Bahrain club Al-Khaldiya on a free transfer from RS Berkane.

The 28-year-old defender completed the move on 21 August 2026 after three seasons with Berkane, where he established himself in Moroccan domestic and African competition. Assal’s transfer takes him outside Morocco for the first time in his senior career.

Assal made 114 appearances in the Botola Pro Inwi during his time in Morocco, scoring once and providing five assists. He also played 22 times in the CAF Confederation Cup and made 12 appearances in the CAF Champions League, contributing one assist in each competition.

His final season with Berkane brought significant success. He helped the club win the 2024-25 Moroccan championship and the CAF Confederation Cup, while also being part of Morocco’s African Nations Championship-winning squad in the same campaign.

A right-footed central defender, Assal began his senior career with TAS Casablanca before moving to SCC Mohammedia in November 2020. He joined RS Berkane from Mohammedia in August 2023 and went on to add continental honours to his domestic experience.

Assal stands 1.90m tall and arrives at Al-Khaldiya with a market value of €800,000. His record includes 147 appearances across the Botola Pro Inwi, CAF Confederation Cup, CAF Champions League and Moroccan Cup, with two goals and seven assists in those competitions.

The move gives Al-Khaldiya a defender with experience of winning both domestic and African club competitions. Assal’s arrival also marks a new stage in a career that has so far been spent entirely in Moroccan football.

He has now left RS Berkane and completed his free transfer to Al-Khaldiya.