Hossam Abdelmaguid: Egypt defender linked with CFR Cluj move from Zamalek

Egypt centre-back Hossam Abdelmaguid is being linked with a move from Zamalek to Romanian side CFR Cluj as the 25-year-old attracts interest from Europe’s SuperLiga.

The defender, who has a contract in Cairo until 30 June 2027, is valued at around €2m and any deal is expected to require a fee rather than a pre-contract agreement. CFR Cluj are understood to be monitoring Abdelmaguid after his role in Zamalek’s recent domestic and continental success, with the Romanian club looking to strengthen at the heart of their defence.

Abdelmaguid has been a regular for Zamalek across league and continental competition and featured heavily during the 2025-26 campaign, starting every match of the Championship Playoff and playing almost every minute of Zamalek’s CAF Confederation Cup run, where he also contributed goals from the back. He was part of the side that won the Egyptian Premier League title in 2025-26 and lifted the CAF Confederation Cup in 2023-24.

Standing at 1.93m and predominantly right-footed, Abdelmaguid has made close to 100 Premier League appearances for Zamalek since stepping up from the club’s youth ranks in 2019, and has added further experience in African competition, including the CAF Champions League and CAF Super Cup.

He has also broken into the Egypt set-up, appearing at the 2026 World Cup, albeit in a limited role.

Zamalek, who have built much of their recent success on a settled core of players, are not under immediate pressure to sell given Abdelmaguid’s long-term deal, leaving CFR Cluj likely facing firm negotiations if they decide to formalise their interest.