It's all confirmed: El-Ouas Zakaria has joined Hamburg from Genk. The defender has penned terms with his new club and completed all registration steps. This deal brings to an end a high-profile pursuit, with Hamburg now adding another piece to their evolving squad structure. Hamburg have now officially completed the signing of El-Ouas Zakaria, despite lingering interest from Everton and Crystal Palace. All steps, from final paperwork to international clearance, have been resolved. The club closed the door on a move that had generated widespread speculation. Defensively, Hamburg are sitting around the league average this season, at 2.0 goals conceded per game. Someone like El-Ouas Zakaria could keep them steady but also raise the level when it matters most. Reports suggest Hamburg are monitoring Terem Moffi, Jacques Ekomie and Sebastiaan Bornauw whereas Genk have not been associated with other players at this stage. Follow us on Twitter @PlayerSwitchCom and get the latest Hamburg transfer news and rumours direct to your feed.