Egyptian international right-back Ahmed Fathi has rejoined Ahly on a three-year deal after his amicable divorce from Qatari side Umm Salal, the Cairo giants said on Tuesday. The 30 year-old former Ahly and Ismaily footballer was a long time key player for Ahly and the Egyptian National team. He becomes the team's sixth close-season signing following the arrival of Gabon striker Malick Evouna, Ghanaian frontman John Antwi, Ittihad forward Hamdi Zaki and ENPPI midfielder Saleh Gomaa, who spent last season on loan at Portugal's Nacional. Meanwhile, Ahly chairman Mahmoud Taher also defended the club's newly signed striker Evouna despite reports suggesting that the player is not totally fit. "It's not logical to land an unfit player. Evouna will be the first [signed] in our African squad," Taher asserted, echoing the club website statement saying that the player is arriving in Cairo in the upcoming few hours. The Cairo giants wrapped up the signing of Evouna from Morocco's Wydad Casablanca for $2.4m, one of biggest transfers in Egypt's football history. The club's chairman also talked about their new sponsorship deal. "The board finalised a sponsorship deal with Saudi company Sela for LE231, 000 for three years," Taher revealed. The eight successive time Egyptian Premier League winners are on the brink of losing this season's trophy as there are six points separating them from rivals Zamalek with only two games remaining. The Africa Confederation Cup title holders have a better chance continentally as they are leading Group A with seven points from three games. Source: Ahram online
