Northern Clubs Close in on Akam Hashim Deal

Iraq defender Akam Hashim has chosen his new club after a period of deliberation and consideration of both domestic and international offers, following his standout performances in the 2025 Arab Cup and the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

Hashim, 27 years old, has become a free agent since July 1 after his contract with Al-Zawraa expired. He was seeking an offer that would provide him with continuity and development on both local and international levels.

According to informed sources, the player has entered into intensive negotiations with Erbil FC in recent days.

Erbil's management is concentrating its efforts on swiftly concluding the transfer, amid reports of competition from Zakho, as well as Al-Zawraa, which has re-entered negotiations strongly after receiving financial backing from an investor.

Sources indicate that the race for the player's signature has recently narrowed down to Arbil and Al-Zawraa, with Arbil demonstrating greater seriousness. A meeting was held with the player that lasted nearly two hours, during which contract details, duration, and the club's goals for the new season in the Iraqi Premier League and the Gulf Champions League were discussed.

According to the same sources, the reported value of the agreement has reached 1.55 billion Iraqi dinars, along with providing housing and a luxury car for the player.

If the official announcement comes in the next few hours, this will be Arbil's second major signing after acquiring Ibrahim Baish, with sources indicating the deal's cost reaching 1.3 billion dinars.

Sources indicate that the value of the contract could make Akam Hashem the most expensive player in the history of the Iraqi Premier League, surpassing the figure associated with Baish's transfer to Erbil, as well as the previously announced amount for Uzbek player Sherzod Taimirov's deal with Zakho, which was set at one million dollars.