Photo: Johannes Simon/Bongarts/Getty Images
Ahmed Hassan is on the brink of a return to Belgium amid the uncertain future of football in Egypt, with Egyptian-owned Lierse SK.
Many of Zamalek’s players didn’t show up to training on Wednesday, following their CAF Champions League defeat to TP Mazembe, but returned yesterday – with the exception of Egypt captain Ahmed Hassan.
Ahmed Hassan, 37, who joined Zamalek on a free transfer last summer from Al Ahly, told Modern Sport TV, “I think it will be better for me and for Zamalek if I left the club,” following the departure of Hassan Shehata.
“Mr. Maged Samy, the chairman of Lierse, is my friend and he usually asks me if I would like to play for his club.”
“I think at Lierse it would be more stable for me, I would be playing better football. No one is certain about the future of football in Egypt and that’s the reason behind my desire to leave.”
Lierse have been interested in signing Ahmed Hassan since 2010, just before the club secured promotion to the Jupiler Pro League.
Wadi Degla – Lierse’s parent club – have today uploaded a compilation of Ahmed Hassan’s highlights on their official YouTube channel.
Treat this as the unofficial announcement (apologies for the music):
Ahmed Hassan is currently the world record holder for the highest number of international caps (184) and enjoyed a successful spell in Belgium with giants Anderlecht – winning the Belgian League, Cup (twice) and Supercup, while also being named the 2nd best foreign player in Belgium in 2008. He will add much-needed leadership to inexperienced Lierse, and will fill the gap left by Mijat Marić, following his departure to Lokeren this summer.
