Youssef Afifi joins El Gouna as Cleopatra FC loan move is completed

Egypt left-back Youssef Afifi has joined El Gouna from Cleopatra FC on loan, completing a move that keeps the 25-year-old in Egypt’s Premier League.

Afifi’s transfer was registered on 14 August 2026, with the loan scheduled to run until 30 June 2027. He returns to the Premier League after spending the 2025-26 campaign with Smouha, also on loan from Cleopatra FC.

The left-footed defender joined Cleopatra permanently from Dayrout SC in September 2024. He then helped the club win the Egyptian League Cup in the 2024-25 season, before moving to Smouha for the following campaign. His spell at Smouha ended on 30 June, when he returned to Cleopatra ahead of the switch to El Gouna.

Afifi has recorded appearances across Egypt’s domestic competitions, including the Premier League, Championship Playoff, Egyptian League Cup and Egypt Cup. He made four league appearances and featured six times in the Championship Playoff, while also adding four appearances in the League Cup and one in the Egypt Cup.

His move to El Gouna provides the club with another option at left-back as they continue in the Premier League. Afifi’s preferred foot is his left, matching the position in which he has played throughout his senior career.

The defender’s market value is listed at €75,000, while the transfer itself is recorded as a loan deal. His arrival also represents another change of club within Egypt’s top flight after his season with Smouha and his earlier time at Cleopatra.

Afifi will remain tied to Cleopatra beyond the loan period, with the scheduled return date set for 30 June 2027. Until then, he will represent El Gouna in the Premier League after completing the move from the Cairo-based club.

The Egyptian left-back has therefore added El Gouna to a recent career path that has included Dayrout SC, Cleopatra FC and Smouha, with his latest switch confirmed as a loan transfer.