Egypt’s Abou-Treika Rejects UAE Offer, Pledges Future To Ahly

Veteran playmaker Mohamed Abou-Treika has pledged his future to Ahly after signing a contract extension, the Egyptian giants announced on Saturday.

The 34-year-old’s future has been the subject of intense speculation after he received a lucrative offer to join United Arab Emirates side Bani Yas.

“Abou-Treika is setting an example to follow in his loyalty to the club, having signed a new deal without any conditions, leaving Ahly officials to decide the value of the new contract,” the Cairo club said in a statement on their official website.

“He not only did that, but he also told football director Sayed Abdel-Hafiz that he would give up 50% of the money he should receive after signing the new deal. He also rejected a loan offer to join Bani Yas for six months.”

Ahly did not disclose the length of the new contract. Abou-Treika’s current deal was due to expire next summer.

The Red Devils are also stepping up their efforts to convince another veteran player, attacking midfielder Mohamed Barakat, to prolong his deal after he said he might leave the club this month due to lack of regular first-team opportunities.

Abou-Treika, who joined Ahly in 2004, has earned a cult status among Ahly’s fans after leading the club to a host of titles since his arrival.

He steered the club to seven Egyptian Premier League titles, two Egypt Cups and three African Champions League triumphs, among other accolades.

He has scored 79 league goals for Ahly and finished as the competition’s top scorer in 2006 with 18 goals.

Abou-Treika was named as the best African-based player of 2012 by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

Ahram