Egyptian midfielder Ahmed El-Merghany (L) was expelled by Wadi Degla over his anti-sisi comment (Photo: Ahram)
Ahmed El-Merghany, an Egyptian player who was expelled by a Premier League club after criticizing President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi, has finally joined a third-tier side after he said he had been snubbed by several clubs.
The 27-year-old was offloaded by Wadi Degla in July after he described Sisi as a "failure" following a terrorist attack that hit two cities in North Sinai, killing 21 army personnel and more than 100 assailants.
He said his efforts to join any other Premier League club during the summer transfer window failed because potential employers asked him to issue a public apology to Sisi.
Goldi, a third-division club partly owned by former Egyptian international defender Ibrahim Saied, decided to sign him right after he said he was contemplating retirement.
"I wish El-Merghany all the best because he is a very good player. I hope this would be a new start and new chapter in his career," said Saied, a former controversial player who is also Goldi's recently-appointed coach.
Saied, a versatile defender, was one of Egypt's most promising footballers in the early 2000s but he eventually failed to live up to his potential due to numerous off-field disciplinary problems.
He played for Egypt's so-called big three - Ahly, Zamalek and Ismaily. He also had a brief stint with English Premier League side Everton but failed to play a single match with the first team.
El-Merghany is best known for his spell as one of the regular midfielders of Cairo club Zamalek from 2008 to 2013.
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