Al Ittihad Alexandria take summer transfer tally to 22 with five new signings

Al Ittihad Alexandria have completed five more signings before the close of the summer transfer window, taking their total number of additions to 22 under head coach Hamza El Gamal.

The club have strengthened across defence and midfield with the arrivals of Mustafa Moawad, Mazen Osama, Moataz Mohamed, Anas Osama and Mahmoud Emad.

Defender Mustafa Moawad has joined from Jordanian club Al-Wehdat on a three-year contract, while left-back Mazen Osama has signed a four-year deal after moving from Diyalaut.

Defender Moataz Mohamed has arrived from Al Ahly on a two-year contract. Midfielder Anas Osama has joined from Zamalek and has committed to Al Ittihad Alexandria for five seasons.

The club have also brought in midfielder Mahmoud Emad from National Bank of Egypt on a season-long loan.

The latest arrivals add to an extensive recruitment campaign by Al Ittihad Alexandria, who have already signed Mido Mustafa from Smouha, Mohamed Fakhry from Pharco, Modern Sport striker Hossam Hassan, as well as Khaled Massad, Abdelrahman Hesham and Ahmed El Shazly.

The Alexandria-based club, known as Zaeem El Thaghr, have also recruited right-back Moamen Awad from Haras El Hodoud, Moataz Mohamed from Al Ahly on a free transfer, Ahmed Hamdy from Zamalek and Ahmed El Araby from Ghazl El Mahalla.

Al Ittihad Alexandria further strengthened their midfield with the signing of Uganda international Kenneth Simaakula, in addition to the six latest deals listed by the club.

The scale of the squad changes has also been reflected in the number of departures. Karim El Deeb, Mahmoud Shabana, goalkeeper Mahmoud Abdel Rahim “Gennesh”, Abdel Ghany Mohamed, Amr Khalil, Amr Gomaa, Mohamed Metwally “Kanaria” and Cristovao Mabululu have all left the club.

Ali El Gabry, Nour Alaa and Mohamed Tony have also departed from Ceramica Cleopatra, while Al Habib Ahmed Hassan left Smouha and Islam Abdel Laah joined Zed on loan.

Al Ittihad Alexandria will begin their new campaign with a difficult opening fixture against Zamalek in the league on Friday. The match is scheduled to kick off at 20:00.

The club finished last season 10th in the relegation-avoidance group, ending the campaign four points clear of the relegation places. Their extensive summer recruitment programme has been carried out under Hamza El Gamal as they prepare for the new league season and attempt to improve on that position.