Ivorian midfielder Michael Mariano said on Tuesday he is relishing the chance to move to Zamalek, where he successfully passed a medical last week. "I'm very happy that I'm close to achieving my dream of joining Zamalek," the combative midfielder said on the club's official website. "Assistant coach Ismail Youssef lauded my abilities after watching me in action during the trial period." Zamalek said that new manager Hassan Shehata gave the club's board of directors the green light to finalise a deal to bring him to the club. Mariano would be the club's first close-season acquisition as they bid to end an Egyptian Premier League drought stretching back to 2004. They finished as runners up to champions and arch-rivals Ahly last season, after surrendering a six-point lead at the top. The 22-year-old, who is expected to sign a three-year contract with Zamalek after his contract with Tunisia's Olympique Beja expired, will be hoping to avoid the fate of compatriots Remi Adiko and Abou Kone, who both failed to prove their worth. Adiko left Zamalek last summer, while Kone is expected to be released this summer after scoring just one league goal. Zamalek are also chasing several high-profile players, including Egypt midfielders Ahmed Hassan and Hosni Abd-Rabou, who are both free agents after leaving Ahly and Ismaily respectively. "I'm determined to complete the move to Zamalek and fight for a regular place," Mariano concluded.
