Free agent Ibrahim Saied joined Libya's Ahli on a one-year deal, the former Egypt defender said on Sunday. "Ahli expressed an interest to sign me a month ago but remained silent until they wrapped up the deal," Saied told FilGoal.com. "I'm happy to have joined Ahli because they are a very good club with a large fan base. They are also enjoying stability under coach Theo Buecker." German tactician Buecker, who managed several clubs in Egypt, was Saied's boss when the controversial defender played for Zamalek in 2005.
Egypt return? The 29-year-old, who never lived up to his potential due to some childish antics on and off the pitch, has been seeking to find a club since terminating his deal with Ismaili in April. He failed in his attempts to join either Ahli or Zamalek as his past problems with the Cairo duo came back to haunt him. He even contemplated retirement in the close season. Saied will now experience his second spell away from Egyptian football, having played for Turkish sides Rizespor and Ankaragucu between 2006 and 2008. "I think playing for a team like Ahli who compete for the league title will help me regain my place in Egypt's squad," he added. Saied was part of Egypt's squad who won two successive African Cup of Nations in 2006 and 2008.
