Egypt’s former veteran goalkeeper Essam El-Hadary announced that he is ready to play football again starting next season, as he is currently training every day to improve his fitness.

"I am doing training sessions for three hours every day and I am ready to return to playing again," El-Hadary told a television programme late on Saturday.

"My performance is stable and nothing changed after my participation in the 2018 World Cup."

The 47-year-old goalie won the African Cup of Nations title four times (1998, 2006, 2008, 2010), and also earned numerous trophies playing with Egyptian giants Ahly.

"My age is just a number on paper," El-Hadary told BBC Sports ahead of his participation in the 2018 World Cup in Russia, where he became the oldest player to participate in the World Cup.

The former Ahly, Zamalek and Ismaily keeper revealed that he is training physically and there will be a time of preparation before returning to the pitch again.

"I am ready to play for any team as I received offers from Egyptian Premier League teams, but I have refused them because my target is to be the goalkeepers’ coach at Egypt’s national team or any big team in Egypt," El-Hadary added.

The popular guardian has made a great international achievement, as the gloves he wore during the 2018 World Cup joined the collection on display at the FIFA Museum.

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