Al Ahly sign Akram Tawfik on three-year deal as midfielder joins Spain camp

Al Ahly have completed the signing of Akram Tawfik on a free transfer, with the midfielder joining the club’s pre-season camp in Spain ahead of the new Egyptian Premier League campaign.

Tawfik arrived in Spain on Thursday morning to link up with Al Ahly’s squad and take part in preparations for the season. The club confirmed that he has signed a three-year contract after reaching an agreement to terminate his previous deal with Qatari side Al Shamal.

Al Shamal officially announced Tawfik’s departure on Wednesday afternoon and thanked the player for his time with the club.

Al Ahly said its head of recruitment, Essam Sarag, had completed all financial and administrative procedures for the transfer in coordination with football director Wail Gomaa.

The move had been anticipated after FilGoal.com reported that Al Ahly were close to signing Tawfik to strengthen their squad for the coming season. The agreement was not expected to face any difficulties after Tawfik settled his outstanding matters with Al Shamal.

His arrival makes Tawfik Al Ahly’s fifth summer signing. He follows Aqtay Abdullah, Ali Mahmoud, Algeria’s Monsef Bekrar and Morocco’s Soufiane Bendjedid in joining the club during the current transfer window.

Tawfik moved to Al Shamal last season on a free transfer after his contract with Al Ahly expired. He made 23 appearances for the Qatari club, provided three assists and helped them finish as runners-up in the Qatar Stars League.

Al Ahly have also seen Tunisia international Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane leave the club in recent days to join Al Shamal.

The Egyptian champions’ camp in Spain will continue until 20 August, with the squad scheduled to undertake intensive daily training sessions and play a number of friendly matches.

One of the key fixtures during the camp will be Al Ahly’s meeting with FC Barcelona in the Joan Gamper Trophy on 19 August.

Al Ahly will begin their Egyptian Premier League campaign against Eastern Company ENPPI and will finish the first phase of the season against Wadi Degla. They are scheduled to play 13 of their 19 matches in that opening phase at Cairo International Stadium.

The Egyptian Premier League is due to begin on 21 August, with the first phase scheduled to conclude on 20 February. The second phase is set to start on 8 March and the league is expected to finish on 28 May.

That timetable remains subject to possible changes to the May schedule because of the finals of continental competitions, according to Taha Ezzat, chairman of the competitions committee.