Bahraini international Mahdi Hamidan.

KUWAIT CITY, Jan 21: Al-Qadsia has officially signed Bahraini international Mahdi Hamidan as a replacement for Egyptian forward Mohamed Abdelmonem “Kahraba”, with a contract lasting until the end of the current season.

Kahraba struggled to meet expectations since joining Al-Qadsia last summer and missed several matches due to recurring injuries. Additionally, the club terminated Libyan player Mohamed Soula’s contract due to declining form and an eight-match suspension for misconduct, bringing in Senegalese Ablaye Mbingui as his replacement.

Hamidan joins Al-Qadsia’s roster of foreign players, which includes Algerians Sofiane Bouchare and Victor Lekhel, Congolese Nescin Kipano, and Senegalese Ablaye Mbingui.

Born in 1993, Hamidan began his career with Al-Ahli Bahrain in 2013, helping the team secure promotion to the Premier League in 2014-2015 and winning the Bahraini Federation Cup the following season. He remained at Al-Ahli until 2020 before moving to Al-Qadsia Saudi, later returning to Bahrain to play for Al-Riffa and Al-Khaldiya, with professional stints also at Al-Nasr Oman. Earlier this season, he joined Al-Zawraa Iraq, playing 10 matches and scoring 2 goals before mutually terminating his contract.

Internationally, Hamidan has a distinguished career, highlighted by helping Bahrain win the Gulf Cup 24 in Qatar in 2019—the first in the nation’s history.

Hamidan arrived in Kuwait earlier today and is expected to make his debut for Al-Qadsia tomorrow against Al-Fahaheel in the 12th round of the Zain Premier League.

Al-Qadsia aims to challenge for the Crown Prince Cup and the Gulf Club Champions League, after exiting the Crown Prince Cup, while still holding slim hopes in the league, currently trailing Kuwait Club by 11 points with 13 rounds remaining

By Hassan Mosa

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff