CAIRO: Ismaili accepted Zamalek s LE 7-million bid for defender Sherif Abdel-Fadil, the coastal club announced early on Thursday. Zamalek beat off competition from arch-rivals Ahly, who were desperate to sign the combative centre-back to ease their defensive concerns. Ahly and Zamalek were both ready to pay LE 7 million to acquire Abdel-Fadil s services but the club s board unanimously decided to accept Zamalek s offer, Ismaili chairman Nasr Aboul-Hassan told FilGoal.com. Ismaili are believed to have chosen Zamalek over Ahly to avoid incurring the wrath of their fans. The Dervishes supporters always accuse the Red Devils of trying to unsettle their competitors through capturing their stars. Although Ahly s current squad boasts several ex-Ismaili players, none of them moved directly from Ismaili to the Egyptian champions. Mohamed Abdullah was the only player Ismaili sold to Ahly in a decade. Ismaili will use the funds of Abdel-Fadil s transfer to complete Essam Al-Hadari s deal, which was about to collapse due to the club s financial problems. The three-time Egyptian champions will pay Swiss side Sion $600,000 to sign the Egypt goalkeeper. Abdel-Fadil, a central defender who can also play as a right-back, is likely to be guaranteed first-team football with Zamalek next season. The White Knights moved for the 26-year-old after terminating the contract of towering defender Amir Azmi.
