Ghazl El Mahalla agree loan deal for Ceramica Cleopatra defender Youssef Afify

Ghazl El Mahalla have completed an agreement to sign Ceramica Cleopatra left-back Youssef Afify on loan for the 2026-27 season.

The 25-year-old defender will join Ghazl El Mahalla after spending last season with Smouha, also on a temporary deal. The agreement between Ghazl El Mahalla and Ceramica Cleopatra covers one season.

Afify made 13 appearances for Smouha in all competitions during the previous campaign. He now becomes the latest player to move into the Ghazl El Mahalla squad ahead of the new season, with the club having reached terms with his parent side for his loan transfer.

The Egyptian left-back began his career at Dairout before moving to Ceramica Cleopatra in the summer of 2024. He won the 2025 Egypt Capital Cup with Ceramica Cleopatra after joining the club.

Afify’s move to Ghazl El Mahalla comes as preparations continue for the forthcoming Egyptian Premier League campaign. The draw for the competition is scheduled to take place on Wednesday at 15:00 local time, two days after the agreement for the defender’s loan was completed.

The transfer will give Ghazl El Mahalla a player with recent experience of regular first-team football, following Afify’s 13-match spell at Smouha last season. His primary position is left-back, the role in which he has played throughout his career.

Afify’s first senior club was Dairout, before his move to Ceramica Cleopatra in 2024. During his time with Ceramica Cleopatra, he was part of the team that lifted the 2025 Egypt Capital Cup.

The agreement means Afify will continue his career with a third Egyptian club, having represented Dairout, Ceramica Cleopatra and Smouha. His latest move has been arranged as a loan rather than a permanent transfer, with the 25-year-old set to spend the upcoming season at Ghazl El Mahalla.