Ahly confirm Abdullah deal

CAIRO (GoPharaohs.com) - Cairo giants Al Ahly confirmed earlier today that they’ve reached an agreement with Ismaily regarding Mohammed Abdullah. Negotiations have been on and off during the past few months and today’s news come as no surprise considering Abdullah has expressed his desire to play for Ahly. The deal sees Ahly pay the Ismailia club 1 million EGP in addition to loaning Mahmoud Sheeko for one year.

Earlier negotiations collapsed when Ismaily insisted on getting 50% of Abdullah’s transfer fee should Ahly decide in the future to off-load the talented 24-year old defender. Ahly refused and offered 25% only. Meanwhile, Abdullah refused to join Zamalek who, naturally, reached a deal with Ismaily’s officials and even received the player’s International Card.

Lately, negotiations have been resurrected due to Abdullah’s persistence on signing for the reds, and due to Ismaily’s fear of the player moving to Ahly in 2006-2007 on a Bosman.

In other news, Ahly continue their daily training sessions in preparation for Sunday’s African Champions League quarterfinals showdown against Morocco’s Rajaa. The latter lost the local title on the last day of the season following a 2-0 defeat on the hands of the eventual champions, the Royal Army.