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RIYADH: Al-Ahli have pulled off something of a coup by announcing Egypt star Abdallah El-Said has joined them on a two-year contract.
The 33-year-old attacking midfielder has won 33 caps for his country and has been named in the extended 29-man squad for the World Cup. He will find out if he has made Hector Cuper's final 23-man party for the World Cup in Russia on June 4.
Should he make the cut, he could well come up against some of his new Al-Ahli teammates when ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ meet Egypt on June 25.
The signing of El-Said, from Egypt giants Al-Ahly where he made 154 appearances in seven years, represents a coup for Al-Ahli and a further statement of their intent to challenge Al-Hilal for the Saudi Pro League title next season. They lost out to Al-Hilal by a point on the final day of last season, but they have appointed a new coach in Pablo Guede and tied key players Omar Al-Somah, Mohamed Al-Fateel and Motaz Hawsawi to new deals.
Abdallah El-Said will be one of seven foreign players allowed in a Pro League squad next season, joining imports Mark Milligan, Al-Somah, Giannis Fetfatzidis, Claudemir and Leonardo in the ranks of the Jeddah club.
El-Said has spent the last two months on loan at Finnish club Kuopion Palloseura as he sought to gain match fitness ahead of the World Cup.
"Abdallah is a big name and very high-level player, we are happy to have him here," said KuPS sporting director Konstantin Shipulin at the time.