El Gouna agree loan deal for Ceramica Cleopatra left-back Youssef Afifi

El Gouna have completed an agreement to sign Ceramica Cleopatra left-back Youssef Afifi on loan for one season.

The 25-year-old defender will move to El Gouna after the club reached an agreement with Ceramica Cleopatra over a temporary transfer. The deal comes shortly before the Egyptian Premier League’s summer transfer window closes on Saturday.

Afifi had been close to joining Ghazl El Mahalla, but that move did not go through. He will instead continue his career with El Gouna, having spent last season on loan at Smouha.

The left-back made 13 appearances for Smouha in all competitions during the previous campaign. His move to El Gouna gives him another opportunity to secure regular competitive football while remaining under contract with Ceramica Cleopatra.

Afifi began his career at Dayrout before joining Ceramica Cleopatra in the summer of 2024. He won the 2025 edition of the Egypt Capital Cup with Ceramica Cleopatra.

El Gouna finished last season fourth in the relegation-avoidance phase of the league, collecting 46 points. The club will begin the new campaign against Modern Sport on Sunday, 23 August.

The agreement for Afifi is one of El Gouna’s final developments before the transfer window closes. The club are preparing for their opening fixture with the arrival of the defender following his spell at Smouha.

Afifi’s career has so far included spells with Dayrout, Ceramica Cleopatra and Smouha. His loan to El Gouna will now add another chapter to that progression, with the player returning to the league after featuring in 13 matches for Smouha across all competitions last season.

Ceramica Cleopatra signed Afifi in the summer of 2024 after he began his career at Dayrout. During his time with the club, he was part of the side that lifted the 2025 Egypt Capital Cup.

El Gouna’s first match of the new season is scheduled for Sunday, 23 August, when they face Modern Sport. They enter the campaign after finishing fourth in the relegation-avoidance phase with 46 points.

The club’s agreement with Ceramica Cleopatra means Afifi will join El Gouna for the entire season on loan, rather than making a permanent move. His previous proposed transfer to Ghazl El Mahalla was not completed, leading to the arrangement with El Gouna.