CELTIC’S new signing Hatem Abd Elhamed revealed football helped his family recover from the death of his young brother killed in a tragic accident at only 15.
Muhammad decided to watch his big brother at training on day and on the way home, when the two stopped for something to eat, was hit by a truck and killed almost immediately.
Elhamed, who agreed a four-year deal at Celtic, admitted life stopped at the time of the accident and his parents only returned to some sort of normality when his playing career took off.
The Israeli international revealed: "Losing my brother was a big tragedy. He died in my hands. It was very difficult for me, my parents, my whole family.
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"He is always with me, when I train, when I play in games.
"It was very difficult to come out of this. Me succeeding in football gave my family energy, it gave my parents the will to go back to life.
“At the start, after he died, it was horrible. For the first couple of months we did nothing. We were just a really sad family. Then I said to myself ‘only I can take my family back to life’ and make them smile again.
“I did everything I could to succeed in football because that was the only way to life them up. I’m happy I did it.
“As I said, my brother is with me all the time, always when I was playing football.
"When I started to play with teams, I just wanted to do it for him and my family. It was tough for me. I've been through a lot.
“And I am happy to be here now. It was great to sign on Wednesday for Celtic and then to watch the game. It was an amazing feeling to see the fans and to know that I am here at this club."
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