Nabil Emad (Zamalek)

With Zamalek losing two key midfielders over the past two seasons, Tunisian Ferjani Sassi and linchpin Tarek Hamed, they were desperate to find a reliable replacement who can carry out defensive and attacking duties in midfield.

They turned to Nabil Emad, better known as Dunga, to fill the gap. The 26-year-old has been one of the most sought-after players in the Egyptian Premier League over the past few seasons.

Emad, who joined Zamalek from Pyramids FC, is known for his ability to dictate play in midfield and send astute threaded passes. He is expected to occupy one of the two starting berths in midfield, along with the in-form Emam Ashour, although he will miss the start of the season due to injury.

He has earned eight caps with the Egyptian national team, the last of which came in a bitter shootout loss by Senegal in a Word Cup qualifying playoff in March.

Ahmed Yasser Rayyan (Ceramica Cleopatra)

After a brief loan spell at Turkey's Altay SK, which yielded nine goals in 29 appearances in all competitions, towering striker Ahmed Yasser Rayyan is back to the club where he excelled in the 2020-21 season.

In just six months, Rayan scored an impressive 16 goals in 25 appearances with Ceramica Cleopatra, finishing third in the list of the Egyptian league's top scorers.

He is expected to be a key figure in Ceramica's bid to better their disappointing 14th-place finish of last season after he joined from Cairo giants Ahly, where he had limited chances to prove his worth over the past few years.

Bruno Savio (Ahly)

Ahly's dip in form over the last two seasons was mainly attributed to the lack of creative players in the final third. Brazilian Bruno Savio could be the solution.

A winger and deep-lying forward, Savio will be the man entrusted with providing the much-needed spark.

The 28-year-old, who joined Ahly from Bolivia's Club Bolivar on a three-year contract for $1.5m, made his debut in a 1-0 victory away to Tunisia's Monastir in the first leg of the African Champions League preliminary round, showing flashes of his talent.

Savio enjoyed one of his best seasons last term, scoring 16 goals in 31 appearances in all competitions with Club Bolivar to help them win the domestic league title.

The 28-year-old also had stints with several Brazilian sides including Guarani, Bragantino, Cuiaba and America Mineiro. All in all, he netted 33 goals in 141 appearances.

Malick Evouna (Aswan)

After leaving Ahly in 2016 for an Egyptian record fee of $8 million, Gabonese striker Malick Evouna returns to the Egyptian Premier League as a free agent to join newly promoted side Aswan.

Evouna’s career has been on a downhill since leaving Egypt as he has been wandering between several Chinese, Turkish and Portuguese clubs.

Evouna, who will turn 30 in November, even returned to his home country before coming to Egypt where he hit stardom.

“I signed a two-year contract with Assouan and we have big ambitions. I ad very special moments here in Egypt and I hope I can relive them again,” he said.

Marwan Hamdi (Masry)

Marwan Hamdi was the preferred choice upfront for former Egypt coach Carlos Queiroz but Zamalek still opted to offload him, deeming him surplus to requirements.

He moved to Masry as part of the Port Said-based club's summer spending free.

Hamdi played last season on loan at Alexandrian club Smouha, producing some superb displays that saw him finish second in the league's list of top scorers with 15 goals.

The 25-year-old has netted one goal in 11 appearances with Egypt since he made his international debut in 2020.

Hamdi Nagguez (Ismaily)

The right-back returns to the Egyptian league more than two years after leaving Zamalek, where he established himself as one of the best full-backs in the domestic competition.

He joined Ismaily on a three-year deal after being released by Saudi club Ahli last January, having failed to replicate the form that saw him torment opposing defences with his marauding runs down the flank.

"I promise Ismaily's fans that I will do my best this season to live up to expectations," Nagguez said after completing his move to the Dervishes.

Mostafa Fathi (Pyramids FC)

The former Zamalek winger was subject of interest from his ex club and their Cairo foes Ahly but Pyramids FC stepped in out of nowhere to acquire his services.

Fathi had a brief yet fruitful spell with Saudi side Al-Taawoun FC, whom he joined from Zamalek last January.

He scored 10 goals and provided seven assists in 26 appearances before army service commitments back home prevented him from continuing his Al-Taawoun adventure.

Ahly and Zamalek were in the hunt to land him but Pyramids eventually signed him on a season-long loan deal with an option to make the move permanent next summer.

He marked his debut with a goal as Pyramids defeated Sudan's Hilal Al-Sahil 2-0 in the first leg of the CAF Confederation Cup second preliminary round last Saturday.

Austin Amutu (Ittihad)

The burly striker ended a disappointing season with Masry to join Alexandria's most popular club Ittihad, where he hopes he can quickly get back on track.

Amutu managed only five goals in 38 appearances in all competitions last term, a modest return for a player who had proven one of Masry's key players after joining from Malaysia's Sri Pahang in January 2019.

He moved to Ittihad on a free transfer after being offloaded by Masry.

 

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