East Bengal defender Hijazi Maher has officially parted ways with the club and is set to return to his homeland to embark on a new chapter in his career. The Jordanian centre-back will join Al Faisaly, a club based in Amman, Jordan. Al Faisaly confirmed the signing through an official announcement on their social-media handles, revealing that Hijazi has signed a three-year contract.
Hijazi joined East Bengal in September 2023 and made an immediate impact. His standout performances in the Kalinga Super Cup earned him the ‘Defender of the Tournament’ accolade. However, the following season turned out to be a forgettable one for the towering defender. In February 2024, a knee injury ruled him out for the remainder of the 2024–25 season.
After recovering, Hijazi recently returned to Kolkata, raising expectations of a return to training as East Bengal had already begun their pre-season preparations with a focus on the upcoming Durand Cup. However, while the club is yet to make an official statement, the confirmation from Al Faisaly came as a surprising development to many fans.
During his stint with East Bengal, Hijazi featured in 42 matches and scored 4 goals. It was also during this period that he received a call-up to the Jordan national team. Despite his strong physical presence in the backline, his performances last season drew criticism for inconsistency and errors in key matches. As a result, the East Bengal management decided to look for a more reliable option in defence.
According to reports, Argentine defender Kevin Sibille has been shortlisted as a potential replacement. The former River Plate player is expected to arrive in Kolkata on July 19 and join the East Bengal camp ahead of the Durand Cup.