Abdel-Wahed El-Sayed, a long serving Zamalek goalkeeper, announced his retirement from professional football on Tuesday after a successful 17-year career that also included many lows with the Cairo giants.

The 38-year-old, a former Egyptian international, was quoted as saying by local media that he has yet to make up his mind over his next move.

He ends his career at Maqassa, a modest Egyptian Premier League side who finished fourth last season after enjoying a campaign to remember.

El-Sayed is revered by Zamalek's supporters for sticking to the club amid a dreadful run of form, as they failed to win the Premier League from 2004 to 2015, with arch rivals Ahly eclipsing them to win eight successive titles. Two seasons were cancelled due to civil unrest.

Before that barren run, El-Sayed, who made his debut for the club in 1997, helped Zamalek win four league titles, five Egypt Cups and one African Champions League crown among other minor accolades.

He was barely challenged by any other shot-stopper during his Zamalek reign although it ended acrimoniously when he was released by the club after an error-ridden 2013-14 season. He also fell out with chairman Mortada Mansour over unpaid dues.

El-Sayed, who appeared in a popular clip to celebrate Zamalek's league triumph last month, was also one of Egypt's main goalkeepers in the 2000s. He was part of the Pharaohs side which won the African Cup of Nations in 2006 and 2010.

He made 39 international appearances, conceding 21 goals.

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