I'm happy to join Al Merriekh - Karim Alhassan

Liberty Professionals defender Karim Alhassan has expressed his joy at sealing a season-long deal with Sudan champions Al Merreikh.

The 24-year-old returned to Ghana after unsuccessful stints with Egyptian and Serbian sides Zamalek and Radniki Kragujevac but his performance with Liberty Professionals last season did not go unnoticed, earning him a move again to North Africa.

“It's a privilege to move to Sudan and play for a big club like Merreikh,” Alhassan told Goal.

“Many things have happened in the past, but I believe this opportunity will propel me back into the limelight. Merriekh played in the semi-finals of the Caf Champions League and subsequently won the local league so it clearly tells me the expectations everyone will be hoping to see next season, but I'm ready for the challenge.

“Several Ghanaians are here so definitely, I'm going to feel at home,” he added.

Alhassan joined Hearts in 2008 and became the club's captain a year after. He led the Phobians to win the Ghana Premier League title in 2009 before joining Zamalek in 2011 on a free transfer, but Fifa ordered the Egyptian club to pay $30,000 to Hearts for training and development.

Alhassan has also had stints with Turkish First League side Adana Demirspor and South African Premier Soccer League team Black Leopards F.C.

He has become the sixth Ghanaian player in Sudan after Abeiku Ainooson, Kennedy Ashia, Nelson Ladzagla, Francis Coffie and Augustine Okrah. Former Ghana coach Kwesi Appiah manages Sudan’s FC Khartoum.