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Egypt defender Hegazy to kick off Serie A experience with Fiorentina Ahmed Hegazy is set to explore a new era in his football career when he begins preseason training with Fiorentina this month
Egypt and former Ismaily defender Ahmed Hegazy will begin preseason training with his new club Fiorentina within days, he said on Monday. "I will join Fiorentina's preseason training camp on 12 July," Hegazy told Ismaily's official website. Earlier in May, the 21-year-old revealed he had signed a four-year contract with the Serie A club starting in July, in a step that helped his boyhood club, Ismaily, tackle their financial difficulties. Hegazy rose to prominence following a series of impressive performances with Egypt's junior side last year. He came in for particular praise for his solid defence in Egypt's U-20 World Cup campaign in Colombia, where Egypt were knocked out by Argentina at the quarterfinal stage. He also played a pivotal role in helping Egypt qualify for the Olympic Games in London after they finished third at the U-23 African Championship in Morocco. Hegazy made his senior team debut in Egypt's 2-0 defeat against Brazil in a friendly in November. Since then he became a key elements of the Pharaohs team. Despite Egypt's recent elimination from the 2013 African Cup of Nations qualifiers, Hegazy insisted that the coaching staff, headed by American coach Bob Bradley, was content with him. "I am happy because the coaches are satisfied with my performances in recent matches," Hegazy explained. "After the continental elimination, I will concentrate with my teammates in the national team to qualify for the World Cup," he concluded. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at@AO Sportsand on Facebook atAhramOnlineSports)