Veteran playmaker Ayman Hefni said on Friday he had joined Zamalek, where he enjoyed the best spell of his career, after having his wish to retire there granted by the Cairo club.

Earlier this week, Hefni made an emotional appeal to Zamalek officials to accept his wish of returning to the club before hanging up his boots, saying he was even ready to play "without a contract and without any money."

An interim three-man committee that runs Zamalek, one of Egypt and Africa's most popular clubs, discussed the matter with Portuguese coach Jaime Pacheco and agreed on Friday to sign the free agent on a six-month deal, local media reported.

"Thanks for all people who helped me fulfill my wish … I'm now at home and with my big family. I'm now a Zamalek player," Hefni said on his Facebook page.

The 35-year-old joined Zamalek in the summer of 2014 and played an instrumental role in helping them win the Egyptian Premier League title in his first season as they ended an 11-year drought in the premier domestic competition.

He also won with the club four Egypt Cups and a CAF Confederation crown in 2019 before joining Maqassa after his form faded.

However, an administrative error prevented him from playing with Maqassa and he was then loaned to Arab Contractors in January 2020.

He only played 20 minutes over three appearances, having been reprimanded by Arab Contractors officials for his perceived lack of commitment. Hefni said he was not in the right state of mind because his daughter was ill.

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