Ahly have completed the signing of Egyptian international defender Ahmed Hegazy on a five-year deal, the Cairo giants announced on Tuesday. "Ahmed Hegazy signed a five-year contract with the club," read a statement on the club's official website. The 24-year-old has terminated his contract with Italian side Fiorentina on Monday, paving the way for Ahly to sign him on a free transfer. The former Ismaily defender joined Fiorentina in the summer of 2012 but his spell at the club was disrupted by injuries. He ruptured a knee ligament in December 2012 before suffering a similar injury in Egypt's friendly against Uganda almost a year later. Hegazy signed a six-month loan deal with Serie B side AC Perugia last February, before returning to Fiorentina in the summer. The towering defender was reportedly close to joining Spanish side Eibar but a deal did not materalise. Hegazy, who is a regular member of Egypt's squad, joins fellow new arrival Rami Rabia in the heart of Ahly's defence after the latter also joined on a five-year deal. The former Fiorentina defender is Ahly's eighth new-signing during the current summer transfer window. After losing the league title for the first time since 2004, Ahly are looking to strengthen their squad before the new season. (For more sports news andupdates, followAhramOnlineSportson Twitter at@AO_Sportsand onFacebookatAhramOnlineSports.) http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/139462.aspx
