16 Jul 2017
Eupen, 16 July 2017. Villarreal-striker and Aspire Academy graduate Akram Afif joins AZF-owned club KAS Eupen for one year on loan. For the 20-year-old Qatari national team player it’s a comeback at the Belgian club, for which he had played an important role in gaining the club’s promotion to the “Jupiler Pro League” two years ago.
“We are proud that Akram decided to come back to us. He is a gifted player with an extraordinary character and he will be a great addition for our team. At the same time I am sure Akram is also going to benefit from playing in Belgium’s first division. It’s a win-win-situation for both of us and our fans are looking forward to his return to Eupen,” said KAS Eupen Director General Christoph Henkel. “Akram is a very talented player, who is going to add speed, creativity and pressure to our offense and it’s a big advantage that he already knows our playing philosophy,” Eupen-head coach Jordi Condom is looking forward to the club’s new signing.
Akram, who spent last season on loan with Sporting de Gijon, is extremely excited about his return to Belgium: “I am happy to be able to return to Eupen for one year. Last season I had the chance to compete against some of the world’s best teams in Spain, which has been a great experience. Eupen is putting together a competitive and ambitious team for this season of the Jupiler Pro League and I am relieved that Eupen and Villarreal could agree on this loan. It’s going to help my development as a player and I am looking forward to giving the best I can for the club, the city and the fans of Eupen.”
Akram Afif is not the only Qatari joining KAS Eupen in the 2017-18 season. Among the new signings are also Assim Omer Madibo (20/Lekhwiya SC), Abdulkarim Hassan Fadlalla (23/Al Sadd) – both graduates of Aspire Academy – and Hamza Sanhaji (23/Al Sadd).