Zamalek have completed the loan signing of Mido from English Championship (second division) side Middlesbrough, the Cairo giants announced on Saturday. "The club have finalized the deal," Zamalek spokesman Sabri Serag said on the club's official website. Zamalek announced on Friday that they signed Mido on a season-long loan from Middlesbrough for EGP 4 million, with a view to a permanent move should they pay the club £1 million next summer. However, the towering striker said later in the day that the White Knights were yet to reach a final agreement with Boro over his transfer. But now the matter has been finally settled, Zamalek insist.
Mido-Zaki: partners again "The player will arrive in Cairo on Sunday afternoon and will immediately join the team's training," Serag added. Boyhood Club Mido, who came through Zamalek's youth ranks, returns to his boyhood club after spending ten years in Europe. The 26-year-old played for Gent, Ajax Amsterdam, Celta Vigo, Marseille and Roma before joining Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League. He experienced mixed fortunes at Spurs before moving to Gareth Southgate's Middlesbrough, where he failed to establish himself as a regular first-team player.
Mido eyes Egypt return The club's relegation to the second division left Mido with no choice but to eye a new move. A return to Egypt appealed to him. "I believe a return to Zamalek will give me the chance to earn an Egypt call-up," he told Al-Hayat TV. "(Coach) Hassan Shehata phoned me and said he considered recalling me to the national team's squad. Playing on a regular basis will help me a lot." Mido spent the second half of last season on loan at Wigan Athletic, where he partnered compatriot Amr Zaki upfront for several games. He will now team up with the Bulldozer again. "I asked (Chairman) Mr. Mamdouh Abbas to keep Zaki at Zamalek. I wish to play with him because we can form the most potent attack in the Egyptian League," Mido added.
