Fiorentina director Sandro Mencucci said he was happy that Egypt’s Ahmed Hegazy has finally made his debut with the club after being confined to the bench for the first 12 Italian Serie A games.

The towering defender came on as a second-half substitute in Fiorentina’s 4-1 victory over Atalanta on Sunday.

“He is the real pharaoh. I say ‘the real’ because he was born in Egypt and so he’s our pharaoh. He’s very young and I am sure he will do well for us,” Mencucci told the club’s television channel.

“I am happy for him that he finally had his chance,” he added.

Hegazy, considered one of Egypt’s hottest prospects, joined Fiorentina from Egyptian coastal club Ismaily last summer. He has been a regular member of their squad since his arrival but could not break into the starting line up.

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