Youssef Ezzejjari: East Bengal striker linked with move to UAE side Al-Hamriyah

Spain-born Morocco forward Youssef Ezzejjari of East Bengal FC is being linked with a summer move to United Arab Emirates club Al-Hamriyah, with the Indian Super League side facing a decision over the future of their centre-forward as his short-term contract runs down.

The 33-year-old, who joined East Bengal on a free transfer from Singapores Tanjong Pagar in February 2026, is out of contract on 31 May 2026, leaving him in a position to negotiate a move without a transfer fee. Al-Hamriyah are understood to be exploring a deal for the right-footed striker, whose current market valuation stands at around 200,000.

Ezzejjari has built a reputation as a prolific scorer across several Asian leagues, most notably delivering 11 goals in just 13 Indian Super League appearances, averaging a strike roughly every 76 minutes during his previous spell in India. He has also recorded double figures in goals in top-flight campaigns elsewhere, including 10 goals in 11 matches in the Cambodian Premier League and 28 goals in 73 Super League outings earlier in his career.

Born in Santa Coloma de Gramanet and standing at 1.85m, Ezzejjari has spent recent seasons moving between clubs in Southeast Asia on a series of short-term deals, typically switching on free transfers. His time at East Bengal marks his latest stop after spells with sides in Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia and Singapore.

With no agreement yet announced over an extension in Kolkata, Ezzejjaris contractual situation leaves East Bengal vulnerable to losing their No 9 for nothing once his current deal expires at the end of May.