ENPPI sign Mohamed Essam for free with Ceramica Cleopatra retaining 40% of future sale

ENPPI signed Mohamed Essam without paying an initial transfer fee during last summer’s transfer window, according to FilGoal.com, after the forward impressed in his first appearance for the club against Al Ahly.

Essam scored ENPPI’s second goal in a 3-2 defeat by Al Ahly, attracting attention despite his side ultimately losing the Egyptian Premier League match. The game was particularly significant for the player as it was his first appearance for ENPPI and his first in the top flight.

The 24-year-old joined ENPPI from Ceramica Cleopatra in the final days of the transfer window after the two clubs reached an agreement that involved no immediate payment. Under the terms of the deal, Ceramica Cleopatra will instead receive 40% of any future transfer fee generated by Essam’s sale.

Essam has signed a contract with ENPPI that runs for the next four seasons.

The move followed a loan spell at Deyrout last season. After returning to Ceramica Cleopatra at the end of that campaign, Essam took part in the club’s pre-season preparations but learned that he was unlikely to receive a genuine opportunity with the first team.

That prompted him to seek a move elsewhere. With the transfer window approaching its conclusion, ENPPI and Ceramica Cleopatra completed an agreement allowing the player to leave without an upfront fee, while protecting Ceramica Cleopatra’s financial interest in a potential future transfer.

Essam’s performance against Al Ahly therefore came at the start of a new chapter in his career. Although ENPPI were beaten by three goals to two, his goal represented an immediate contribution in his first match for the club and his first experience of the Egyptian Premier League.

The player had spent the previous season with Deyrout on loan from Ceramica Cleopatra. Following his return, he joined Ceramica Cleopatra’s preparations but decided to depart after being informed that he would not be given a real chance to play.

ENPPI completed the signing late in the summer window, securing Essam’s services for four seasons while agreeing to the future-sale clause with his former club. The arrangement meant no transfer payment was made at the time of the move, with Ceramica Cleopatra entitled to 40% of any fee should ENPPI sell him in the future.