Zamalek approve Mohamed Hamad’s Benfica training spell after Portuguese club’s insistence

Zamalek have agreed to allow teenage midfielder Mohamed Hamad to travel to Portugal for a training spell with Benfica after the Portuguese club insisted on having the player join them, a club source has told FilGoal.com.

The 18-year-old is regarded as one of the promising players in Zamalek’s youth system and has recently been promoted to the Egyptian club’s first team.

The source said Zamalek’s decision was made despite the club’s current registration ban, which prevents them from signing new players. The club’s board was questioned over why it would release one of its young players at a time when it cannot strengthen its squad in the transfer market.

“Zamalek does not stand in the way of the sons of the White Castle achieving their ambitions,” the source said.

“These opportunities count for the club and its football sector, especially when one of the club’s players receives an invitation to spend a training spell at a major club of Benfica’s stature.”

The source added that Zamalek had previously allowed several players from its academy to undertake similar periods with European clubs.

“This is not the first time Zamalek has agreed to allow players from its youth sector to spend training spells at European clubs,” the source said. “More than one player has previously been permitted to undertake such spells at different European clubs.”

The source also rejected suggestions that the club was prepared to give up one of its leading young talents.

“Mohamed Hamad is one of the promising talents in the youth sector,” the source said. “When a player receives an opportunity like this, the club will not object, particularly when a major club such as Benfica requests that he spends a training spell there. The matter is not as some people are portraying it, as if the club is giving away its team’s stars.”

The spell in Portugal is expected to give Hamad the chance to experience a different footballing environment and test himself at one of Europe’s best-known clubs.

“The training spell represents a good opportunity for the player to have a new experience and be exposed to different surroundings,” the source said. “If he proves himself, that will be positive for the player, Zamalek and the White Castle’s football sector.”

Hamad made his senior debut for Zamalek as a substitute in their opening league match of the season against Al Ittihad. He replaced Ahmed Sherif in the 79th minute of a game that ended in a goalless draw.

His recent progress has also been boosted by his performances for Egypt’s Under-20 side. He was part of the Egypt youth generation that includes Barcelona forward Hamza Abdelkarim and Bilal Attia, who is on loan from Al Ahly to Spanish club Racing de Santander.

Hamad also helped Egypt’s youth team win the North Africa Championship, scoring twice in the final as they beat Libya 7-1.

His displays against Libya helped Egypt qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations Under-17 and subsequently the Under-17 World Cup in Qatar.