Monsef Bakrar: Al Ahly seal €3m move for ‘Balkan jewel’ who rose from Algerian amateur football

Al Ahly have completed the signing of Algeria forward Monsef Bakrar from Dinamo Zagreb on a three-year contract, in a deal reported to be worth €3m, bringing to Cairo a striker whose career has taken him from village pitches to major leagues across three continents.

The Egyptian champions confirmed the transfer on Tuesday, securing a player who hit 18 goals and provided seven assists in 42 appearances for Dinamo Zagreb last season, helping the Croatian giants win both the league title and the Croatian Cup.

Bakrar, 23, arrives after the most prolific campaign of his career. In the 2025-26 Croatian league season he scored 10 goals and set up four more in 29 matches, starting 17 of them and logging 1,511 minutes – the equivalent of 16.8 full games.

His impact was underpinned by strong underlying numbers. He averaged a goal every 151 minutes in the league, and his combined goals and assists stood at 0.83 per 90 minutes. That return placed him third in Croatia’s top flight for goals and direct goal contributions per 90.

The Algerian also showed efficiency in front of goal, attempting 52 shots in the league, 19 of them on target – a shots-on-target rate of 36.5%. He averaged 3.10 shots per 90 minutes, scoring roughly once every 5.2 attempts and converting 19% of his shots.

Those figures marked a clear step up from his time in Major League Soccer with New York City, where his scoring rate was 0.30 goals per 90 minutes compared with 0.60 per 90 in Croatia, underlining his development since returning to Europe.

From Salah Bey amateurs to ES Setif

Born in 2001 in Salah Bey, Algeria, Bakrar grew up in a sporting family in which all his brothers were involved in football before he joined local amateur side Amal Chabab Salah Bey. He spent seven years with the club, where coach Mohamed Chouder was the first to spot and nurture his talent.

While many of his team-mates were technically gifted, Bakrar distinguished himself through commitment and sacrifice. He regularly travelled long distances to make training, juggling difficult journeys and his studies to continue improving as a player.

In 2017, after catching the eye in one match, he moved to professional side MO Bejaia’s rivals in the article’s context, Mouloudia El Eulma (referred to here as Mouloudia El Eulma), where he faced immediate challenges. The young forward initially had no fixed accommodation and had to balance education with the demands of the professional game, while his family worried constantly about him.

The club’s management played a key role in easing those pressures and creating conditions that allowed him to focus on football. Bakrar shone in just one season with Mouloudia El Eulma, scoring against ES Setif – a goal that opened the door to the club he had dreamed of representing since childhood.

At 18, he joined ES Setif, initially linking up with the youth side before stepping into the reserve team. Despite limited resources and difficult training conditions, he impressed alongside a group later regarded as one of the club’s best generations, featuring Algeria international Mohamed Amine Amoura, former Al Ahly player Ahmed Kendouci and current Al Masry midfielder Abdelraheim Deghmoum.

Under coach Sofiane Douar, Bakrar’s game developed significantly as he gained confidence and regular opportunities. He went on to play 51 matches for ES Setif, scoring 10 goals and providing three assists.

Contract dispute and return to Setif

Bakrar’s rise at ES Setif was disrupted by a major dispute when he and several team-mates decided to move to MC Alger. He felt undervalued at Setif due to the absence of a clear professional contract, especially after MC Alger showed stronger interest.

He formally joined MC Alger, but the transfer broke down before completion, leaving him sidelined from official competition for several months.

During that period, Bakrar continued to train daily and played frequent friendly matches to maintain his fitness and sharpness, supported by MC Alger’s coaching staff despite not drawing a salary.

After performing Salat al-Istikhara, he resolved to return to ES Setif – a move that became the turning point of his career. Coach Sofiane Douar restored him to the squad and he answered immediately, scoring twice against US Biskra on his first appearance back, easing the pressure surrounding his return.

“I thank the ES Setif fans because they forgave me and opened a new page with me,” Bakrar said. “It’s true they were angry with me on social media, but in the end most of them have kind hearts. That was the biggest motivation for me to come back strongly and regain my level.”

He added: “I was lucky to play with a big group of experienced players like Abdelmoumen Djabou, Amir Karaoui, Houssam Eddine Ghacha, Akram Djahnit and Saadi Radouani. They always encouraged me and gave me advice on and off the pitch, and helped me a lot in my career, so I will always be grateful to them.

“ES Setif will always remain in my heart. I follow their news and matches constantly, and I hope they return to competing for titles.”

Breakthrough in Croatia and MLS move

Bakrar’s route to European football came via the Algeria under-23 team, with whom he played a friendly tournament in Marseille. His performances there, including a goal, attracted scouts from Croatian side Istra 1961, leading to a move in the summer of 2022.

He adapted quickly in Croatia, scoring in each of his first four matches for Istra 1961. His first goal came against Dinamo Zagreb, and he ended his debut season with eight goals and three assists, helping Istra secure the best league finish in their history by taking fifth place.

That form prompted Dinamo Zagreb to move for him. The transfer advanced so far that he posed for photos in the club shirt, but negotiations collapsed at the final moment when the two clubs failed to agree on the fee, forcing him back to Istra 1961.

In the summer of 2023, New York City offered €2m to sign him. Bakrar accepted the move to Major League Soccer and into the City Football Group structure, which allows players to transfer between its clubs worldwide.

“Monsef is a talented and dynamic striker who had a fantastic first season in Europe, and we’re excited about the impact he’ll have on our squad, as well as enhancing the quality and depth of our team as we enter the final stretch of the season and approach the playoffs,” sporting director David Lee said at the time.

“With Monsef’s experience at club level and with the Algerian youth national team, along with his time in Croatia, we believe his move to MLS will be an excellent step in his career. Although he is still only 22, his best years are ahead of him and we look forward to supporting and continuing his development.”

Bakrar joined without a full pre-season but started his first 10 matches for New York City, scoring three goals. His second campaign was more difficult: he made 28 league appearances, scoring four times, and struggled to retain a regular starting place.

The Algerian forward’s form fluctuated, alternating between bright spells and periods where he was searching for the confidence expected of a No 9. Coach Nick Cushing, however, consistently backed him, highlighting his pressing, intelligent movement and ability to create space for team-mates – qualities not always reflected in goals.

In the Hudson River Derby against New York Red Bulls, with the score at 1-1, Cushing sent him on with a simple message: “It’s your night.” Six minutes later, Bakrar scored the winner.

“I saw the ball go in and I started running like crazy,” Bakrar recalled. “I was very happy, I can’t describe the feeling. It was important to score this goal and help my team win the derby.”

He celebrated by heading straight for his coach, a release of the pressure that had built since the start of the season.

Cushing later said: “I believe Monsef will score in every game. I’m very happy for him because he deserved this goal. He has worked hard to be the player who gives New York everything we need to be a successful team. He scored tonight, but we want him to continue.”

Bakrar went on to play 70 matches for New York City, scoring 10 goals without registering an assist, before Dinamo Zagreb finally secured his signature for €1m in the summer of 2025.

Return to Dinamo and Al Ahly challenge

Back at what is often dubbed the “jewel of the Balkans”, Bakrar delivered his finest season yet. Across all competitions he scored 18 times and provided seven assists in 42 appearances, playing a central role in Dinamo Zagreb’s domestic double.

Now, after just one full season in Croatia’s capital, the forward has taken the next step by joining Al Ahly, African champions and serial contenders for domestic and continental titles.

Bakrar’s journey – from Amal Chabab Salah Bey, through Mouloudia El Eulma, ES Setif, Istra 1961, New York City and Dinamo Zagreb – has convinced Al Ahly he is a striker who can make the difference.

In Cairo, however,