Egyptian star Amr Al Sulaya has dismissed suggestions his arrival at promoted Arabian Gulf League club Al Shaab is a stopgap arrangement to smooth an eventual move to the prominent Cairo club Al Ahly.
The eight-time African champions were in pursuit of the central midfielder through this summer, but his club, Ismaily, one of Ahly’s fiercest rivals, refused to allow the move to go through.
Ismaily, instead, decided to sell him to Shaab after the 26-year-old Egypt international refused to sign an extension. Al Sulaya, who started his professional career at the Ismailia club in 2009 and has made 123 appearances since, is in the final year of his contract and in January would have been able to sign for any club for free.
Al Sulaya, however, said he is not in Sharjah on “transit” and will prove that in the coming months.
“These are all just rumours and I will not waste my time on them,” he said after signing a two-year deal with Shaab, who are back in the AGL after finishing second in Division One last season. “I have come here to prove myself and I am determined to leave a mark with the team.
“I am here as a professional and it is my responsibility to help Shaab achieve their objectives, and I will do my best to help them. I have watched some matches of the Arabian Gulf League in recent times; I remember watching matches of Al Ain and Al Jazira, and I am excited about the season ahead.
“I know about the challenges that lie ahead, but I am ready to fight for Shaab and I look forward to realise the aspirations of each member of this club, this family.”
Not just happy with denying him a move to Ahly, Ismaily have made sure Al Sulaya remains at Shaab until next summer, at least, with a clause in their deal that prevents the player from moving to any other club before the end of the AGL season.
With the signing of Al Sulaya, Shaab have completed their foreign quartet for the start of the new season. They have retained the services of their long-serving French striker Michael N’dri, and brought in Chilean midfielder Matias Donoso and Timor Leste defender Celio Santos.
Shaab also announced on Wednesday the extension of their loan deal for Al Wasl midfielder Maher Jassim.
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