Controversial midfielder Mahmoud Abdel-Razek ‘Shikabala’ has signed for Al Wasl on a season-long loan deal worth $1.25million (EGP7.60m) from Zamalek.
Zamalek issued a statement on their official website, the club said: “Zamalek concluded the transfer deal of Shikabala to join Al Wasl for one season on loan. We hope the player can improve himself with his new team next season.”
Shikabala’s short-tempered nature saw him start a touchline row with Zamalek coach Hassan Shehata after he was substituted during a CAF Champions League match against Maghreb Fes in May.
Shehata resigned twice over the incident. At first, the club refused to accept his decision and instead decided to show Shikabala the door, but he officially left the club last week and now Zamalek find themselves losing both men involved in the altercation.
Shikabala has been excluded from Zamalek training sessions, dropped by Bob Bradley in the Pharaohs’ squad for their World Cup and African Cup of Nations qualifiers last June, and of course, overlooked by Hany Ramzy for his team that travelled to London for the Olympic Games.
A spokesman for Al Wasl said the club was aware of Shikabala’s abilities, and are confident he would feel at home in Dubai.
“He is a very good player if you look at the goals he has scored for his club. We are interested in someone like him because we believe he can help Al Wasl achieve its goals next season,” said the spokesman.
Shikabala was warmly welcomed upon arrival to the UAE, mainly by Zamalek fans, who appear to have forgiven him as he held the scarf of his new club in his hands.
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