Hafez rejoins Lens

15 August 2017: Egyptian defender Karim Hafez joined French team RC Lens on a one-year loan from Belgian team Lierse. Hafez also played last year with Lens.

“The discussions between Lierse and Lens took time, but eventually I'm here! I am very happy to return to Lens. I hope that all together we can do our job to go up in Ligue 1! I found some of my former teammates. I am very happy to play with them again,” Hafez stated to the official Lens website after signing his contract.

Hafez, 21 years old, is a Wadi Degla academy product who moved to play in Lierse when he was just 18. He had two loans outside of Lierse with AC Omonia from Cyprus for one year and Lens for two years.

Hafez continued to the official website, saying, “I have received many messages from supporters on social networks. They wanted me back to Lens. It's very nice of them. It gives me a lot of energy and motivation! I gave everything for the team last season and I hope to do it again this year.”

Hafez played a great role in promoting Lens from Ligue 2 to Ligue 1 last year; however, the club failed to progress to the French Premier League in the last game, after a massive drama.

Lens started the new season losing three games.