Egypt's Ahly, who lost the Egyptian Premier League title to Cairo foes Zamalek, made their fifth summer acquisition after completing the signing of Maqassa's attacking midfielder Ahmed El-Sheikh, the club said on Wednesday.

Zamalek were also interested in the 26-year-old, who caught the eyes with some fine displays this term, but he publicly criticized the White Knights, saying he opted to move to Ahly because of their "professional treatment" of him.

"Our football director would like to announce that the club have signed El-Sheikh on a five-year deal," Ahly said in a brief statement on their official website.

They did not disclose the transfer fee but local media had put the figure at LE8.5 million.

El-Sheikh, who scored eight goals and created five others as Maqassa finished fourth in the league, becomes the latest addition to Ahly's squad following the signing of two strikers in Gabon's Malick Evouna and Ghanaian John Antwi, midfielder Saleh Gomaa and their former versatile defender Ahmed Fathi.

Ahly are seeking to bolster their squad after missing out on the chance of equaling their own record of winning the Premier League nine times in a row.

They gifted the title to Zamalek when they were held to a 1-1 draw by Smouha on Tuesday, leaving their nemesis with an unassailable four-point lead with one match remaining.

Both sides are active in the transfer market, vying for the signature of the country's top players.

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