Petrol Asyut sign Lavia striker Che Bondi on loan

Petrol Asyut have completed the signing of Lavia forward Che Bondi on loan during the current summer transfer window, strengthening their squad ahead of their return to the Egyptian Premier League.

The 23-year-old Cameroon striker has joined for a loan fee of £750,000, with the agreement also including an option for a permanent transfer worth £1.5m. Lavia will additionally receive 15% of any future resale fee.

Bondi is primarily a centre-forward and scored five goals for Lavia during the 2024-25 season in the Egyptian Professional League.

The move represents Petrol Asyut’s latest recruitment as they prepare for their first campaign back in the top flight for 16 years. The club secured promotion alongside Abu Qir Fertilizers and El Qanah.

Bondi began his career with Cameroon club Lou Astres before moving to Lavia in the summer of 2025 on a free transfer. He spent the previous season with the club, where his goals helped attract interest from Petrol Asyut.

Petrol Asyut have also added Ismail Ashraf, a winger from Haras El Hodoud, as well as former Zamalek players Ahmed Magdy and Abdel Rahman Kamal during the summer window.

Those additions, together with Bondi’s arrival, are intended to give the promoted side greater attacking options and additional experience as they make their return to the country’s top division.

The Egyptian Premier League is scheduled to begin on 21 August. Petrol Asyut are due to start their new campaign on Saturday, 22 August, at Asyut Cement Stadium, in a fixture involving Montakhab El Suez and Petrojet.

The club’s promotion ended a 16-year absence from the Premier League and means Petrol Asyut will compete against Egypt’s leading teams once again. Their preparations have therefore focused on reinforcing the squad before the opening round, with Bondi becoming one of the latest players to arrive.

For Lavia, the agreement provides an immediate loan fee while retaining the possibility of a permanent sale at the end of the arrangement. The 15% resale clause also gives the club a financial interest if Bondi later moves elsewhere for a higher transfer fee.

Bondi’s record of five goals last season came in the Egyptian Professional League, where Lavia competed before the striker made the switch to Petrol Asyut. His ability to operate as a central striker was a key factor in the promoted club’s decision to bring him in.

Petrol Asyut will now continue preparations for the new Premier League season with Bondi among their attacking options and with the club looking to make a strong return after more than a decade away from the competition.