CAIRO: Many players were reluctant to join Zamalek for their trophy-less seasons over the past six years, but the chronic title drought was the reason why Emad Mohamed Ridha moved to the Cairo side. The Whites have completed the signing of the Iraqi striker on Friday after he inked a three-year contract. Emad, the Iran Pro League's top scorer last season with a 19-goal tally, assured that he opted to join Zamalek because he wants his presence to be felt. "Zamalek's lack of titles encouraged me to join them," the former Sepahan Esfahan hitman told FilGoal.com. "Their current condition will make my role more crucial, and that's what I want. "I wouldn't be very influential with a team with an abundance of titles. Such an outfit wouldn't add anything to my resume, unlike a trophy-less side." Eleven-time Egyptian champions Zamalek have won only one title over the past six years in the 2008 Egyptian Cup. "The situation at Zamalek will help me hit peak form," Emad added. "I have a good feeling about my new adventure." The 27-year-old also revealed that he had been approached by Zamalek's arch-rivals Ahly this summer. "Several agents opened talks with me over a move to Ahly," Emad said. "But I closed the door on a deal with Ahly right away because I had already given Zamalek my word."
