Pharco are splashing the cash in a summer spectacle as they aim big on their maiden Egyptian Premier League appearance this season. The league newcomers signed more than a dozen players, following in the footsteps of fellow privately-owned clubs who are still seeking to establish themselves on the biggest stage. Pharco, who are owned by a famous pharmaceuticals company, were established in 2010 and it did not take them so long to climb the ladder of the Egyptian league system. After sealing historic promotion on the final day of the second division last season by virtue of a better goal difference than their challengers, the team's board tapped the market with open cheque books. Their high-profile signings including ex-Ahly striker Amr Gamal, who scored 11 goals with Talae El-Geish last season, experienced central defender Rami Sabri and Pyramids FC duo Abdallah Bakri and Mahmoud Hamada. Pharco also landed three foreigners in Nigerian midfielder Kingsley Sokari, Algerian forward Rezki Hamroune and Tunisian left-back Azmi Ghouma. They also floated the possibility of acquiring the services of former Barcelona left-back Dani Alves. "Our ambition goes beyond just surviving in the Premier League. We are looking to be one of the title challengers," Pharco coach Magdi Abdel-Ati was quoted as saying by local media. While Abdel-Ati may be overly optimistic, Pharco are likely to prove a force to be reckoned with. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)
