Shikabala will start training in Zamalek next week
Mahmoud Abdel-Razek “Shikabala” has decided to cut short his loan spell with Ismaily and move back to boyhood club Zamalek in January following the departure of coach Mido.
Mido, who vowed that he would help the talented schemer restore his glory days, stepped down as Ismaily coachafter falling out with club icon Hosni Abd-Rabou, leaving Shikabala to contemplate his future.
Shikabala mainly agreed to move to Ismaily because of the presence of Mido, a former nomadic player who had spells with a handful of European clubs including Tottenham Hotspur, Ajax Amsterdam, AS Roma and Marseille.
Things looked promising in the early stages of the season, with Shikabala scoring twice and creating three goals in Ismaily’s opening six Egyptian Premier League games.
Zamalek assistant coach Ismail Youssef welcomed the return of Shikabala this winter. The player will join the team’s training on Tuesday, the club said.
Shikabala had to get the approval of Zamalek’s new Brazilian coach Marcos Paqueta, given that the club are only allowed to replace three players in their squad during the January transfer window.
The White Knights have already signed Ittihad full-back Ramzi Khaled after agreeing to loan out defender Islam Gamal to Smouha.
