Canal close summer transfer window with Modern Sport duo

Canal Sporting Club have completed their summer transfer business by signing Modern Sport defender Ali El-Fil and attacking midfielder Mustafa Hamada.

The two players are the final additions to the squad as Canal prepare to return to the Egyptian Premier League after a 12-year absence.

Mohamed Khattab, Canal’s director of recruitment, confirmed the deals in an exclusive statement to FilGoal.com.

“We have closed the transfer window at Canal by signing Modern Sport duo Ali El-Fil, the team’s defender, and playmaker Mustafa Hamada,” Khattab said.

The deals strengthen a squad that secured promotion to the top flight after finishing first in the Professional League. Canal’s return follows more than a decade outside the Premier League, with the club earning promotion by topping the second-tier competition.

El-Fil, 35, arrives with extensive experience in Egyptian football. During his career, the defender has represented Telephonat Beni Suef, Haras El Hodoud, Tala’ea El Gaish and Modern Sport.

He made 26 appearances in all competitions for Modern Sport last season and scored once. His arrival gives Canal an experienced option in defence as they prepare to compete at the highest level of Egyptian domestic football.

Hamada has also previously played for Pharco, Proxy, Modern Sport and El Sekka El Hadid. The attacking midfielder spent the final six months of last season on loan at Canal and played a part in the club’s promotion campaign.

His permanent move completes a return to the club after that loan spell, while El-Fil joins from Modern Sport as part of Canal’s final recruitment activity before the start of the new season.

Canal had already added several other players during the summer. The club signed Modern Sport defender Mahmoud Rizk and brought in Mihab Sami from Eastern Company on loan.

They also recruited Mohamed Sadeq from Ceramica Cleopatra and signed Lebanese player Ramy Najjarine as a free agent.

The club’s other additions include goalkeeper Mohamed Shaaban, formerly of Tala’ea El Gaish, Mohamed Hamdy Zaky from Haras El Hodoud and Ziad Tarek from Zed FC.

Those signings, together with the arrivals of El-Fil and Hamada, complete Canal’s squad-building work for their return to the Premier League. The club’s promotion ended a 12-year wait for top-flight football, after they finished at the summit of the Professional League.