FACTBOX: Career highlights of Essam El-Hadary

Ahram Online, Tuesday 17 Dec 2013

Ahram Online examines the career of Egypt's Essam El-Hadary, one of the best goalkeepers in African history, who joined Wadi Degla on Monday

Essam El-Hadary
File photo: Egyptian goalkeeper Essam El-Hadary (L) and Algerian goalkeeper Chaouchi Faouzi (R, back) arrive walk onto the pitch with their teammates for their semi final match in the African Cup of Nations CAN2010 at the Ombaka stadium in Benguela on January 28, 2010 (Photo: AFP)

INTERNATIONAL CAREER:

El-Hadary made his debut for Egypt on 26 March 1996 in a friendly against South Korea. He was Egypt's number one from 2001 until 2013, playing 138 matches. He had a rift with former Egypt coach Bob Bradley after being benched in a friendly game and since then he has been away from international duty.

Titles:

Four African Cup of Nations (CAN) titles in 1998, 2006, 2008 and 2010.

Honours:

Best keeper in CAN in 2006, 2008 and 2010.

CLUB CAREER:

Ahly

The veteran joined the Cairo giants in 1996 from Damietta and remained with them until 2008.

Titles

Four African Champions League titles in 2001, 2005, 2006 and 2008.
Three African Super Cup titles in 2002, 2006 and 2007.
Eight League titles in 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008.
Four Egypt Cup titles in 2001, 2003, 2006, 2007.

Fleeing to Sion

He joined Swiss club Sion in April 2008, breaking FIFA transfer rules. He was handed a four-month ban and Sion were hit by a $796,500 fine by FIFA in July 2009.

Titles

Swiss Cup in 2009

Back to Egypt

In the summer of 2009, El-Hadary returned home to wear the jersey of coastal side Ismaily. He remained there for one season featuring in 14 matches without winning a trophy.

On 1 July 2010, El-Hadary signed for Ahly's arch-rivals Zamalek. His six-month stint was unsuccessful as he had to serve the four-month FIFA ban. He only featured in four matches before departing after a dispute with coach Hossam Hassan.

A trip to Sudan

Hadary joined Sudan's El-Merreikh at the start of 2011.

Titles

1 League title in 2011.
2 Cup titles in 2012 and 2013.

Wadi Degla

After his contract with El-Merreikh expired in November, the 40-year-old signed a one-year contract with Egyptian outfit Wadi Degla on Monday.

(For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports)

Short link: