Essam Sirag El-Din, Al-Ahly Club's Contracts Director, revealed the behind-the-scenes details of signing the duo Soufiane Benjdida and Monsef Boukadir, highlighting the role of the Red Fortress management in convincing the players to join the team. He also discussed the intricacies of the file concerning the signing of Hussein Ammouta.
Statements by Essam Sirag El-Din
Essam Sirag stated in remarks via Al-Ahly TV: "We had our eyes set on both Soufiane Benjdida and Monsef Boukadir. I spoke with Soufiane; he had many offers, but he knew the stature and value of Al-Ahly Club. I told him that Al-Ahly would be his gateway to professional football in Europe, and he was keen on playing for the club."
He added: "His club's president was very cooperative. According to what the club informed me, one Egyptian club had submitted an official offer, but I dealt with them professionally and finalized all matters quickly after traveling. I informed Sayed Abdel Hafeez that I had completed the contracts within 24 hours."
The head of Al-Ahly's Deals Sector continued: "Soufiane is a respectable personality, and he promised me he would score 15 or 16 goals for the club."
Regarding Monsef Boukadir, Essam Sirag clarified: "Monsef also knows the stature and value of Al-Ahly. He previously played in Croatia and the United States, and we monitored him for a long period. What convinces any player is the size and name of Al-Ahly Club. Ultimately, I am merely executing the vision of Al-Ahly Club."
Behind-the-scenes of signing Hussein Ammouta
Essam Sirag also addressed the behind-the-scenes details of the file concerning the signing of Hussein Ammouta, clarifying the role of Khaled Mortagy, Al-Ahly Club's Treasurer, in the deal.
He said: "In the Hussein Ammouta deal, Khaled Mortagy was among those who assisted with this file. He spoke with Sayed Abdel Hafeez regarding the possibility of recruiting him. We were looking for a foreign technical director, but Mortagy proposed changing the philosophy and signing an Arab coach. From there, work on the file began."
