Ismaili have accepted Ahli Dubai's offer to sign midfielder Hosni Abd-Rabou on a two season-long loan, the Egyptian club's football director said on Thursday. "The player will spend two seasons with Ahli Dubai before returning to us," Abdul-Rahman Anous told FilGoal.com. "The UAE club initially wanted to sign Abd-Rabou on a permanent basis but we opted to loan him out as we may need him in future." Anous refused to disclose the transfer fee that Ismaili would receive from Ahli Dubai. Abd-Rabou, who was the subject of a tug of war between Ismaili and French side Strasbourg, has been linked with various clubs since his transfer wrangle ended. Several Spanish sides, including Osasuna and Atletico Madrid, were rumored to be interested in signing the 2008 Nations Cup best player. However, no formal bid was presented to Egyptian League runners-up Ismaili. Abd-Rabou then opted for a gulf switch as he said he was not keen on an Egypt stay.