After terminating his contract with Zamalek Cairo, Egyptian international attacking midfielder Shikabala is on the brink of signing with Sporting Portugal.
The deal has now been officially confirmed. The 27-year-old has inked a four-and-a-half-year contract with the Portuguese club, as announced by Sporting Lisbon on Saturday. Shikabala expressed his excitement about joining a prominent European club, stating, “The negotiations were complicated, but the important thing now is that I’ve realized a dream by arriving at a big club in Europe.”
Shikabala’s move to Europe comes after a series of speculations that often failed to materialize. He began his career at Zamalek, making headlines with his debut goal at just 16 years old. He also had a stint with Greek club PAOK Salonika before returning to Egypt for mandatory military service. Upon his return, he reclaimed his status as a star player for Zamalek SC.
In 2012, Shikabala ventured to the UAE to join Al Wasl Dubai on loan, where he impressed with his performances, earning a recall to the national team. His success caught the attention of Olympiakos, who offered 3.5 million euros for his services in May 2013. However, he returned to Zamalek later that summer after a 15-month absence, making a significant impact with crucial goals and assists, including a goal in the 2013 CAF Champions League final and a stellar performance in the Egyptian Cup final.
