Hatem Bencheikh El Fegoun: Algerian goalkeeper joins USM Khenchela on free transfer from Olympique Akbou

Algerian goalkeeper Hatem Bencheikh El Fegoun has joined USM Khenchela on a free transfer from Olympique Akbou, strengthening the Ligue 1 side’s options between the posts ahead of the new campaign.

The 26-year-old, who was born in Constantine and stands at 1.80m, moves after his contract with Olympique Akbou came to an end. The switch keeps him in the Algerian top flight and follows a period in which his market value has been assessed at around €225,000.

Bencheikh El Fegoun spent last season on the books of Olympique Akbou, a club he initially joined in 2024 from CA Batna. During the 2025-26 campaign he also had a loan spell at ES Setif, returning to Olympique Akbou at the end of that agreement before now making the step to Khenchela.

A right-footed goalkeeper, he has built his career entirely in Algeria, progressing from Constantine’s youth ranks to CS Constantine’s senior side in 2020. Subsequent moves to AS Khroub and CA Batna gave him regular exposure in the domestic game before his move to Olympique Akbou and his brief stint with ES Setif.

USM Khenchela have not disclosed the length of his new deal, but Bencheikh El Fegoun arrives with experience across several Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 clubs and will now compete for the starting role in goal following his free transfer switch.