Ahly sign Petrojet goalkeeper Mohamed El-Shennawy

Petrojet goalkeeper Mohamed El-Shennawy has officially signed a five-year contract with Ahly, the Egyptian League’s newly-crowned champions announced on Sunday. "Our former player El-Shennawy has officially rejoined the team upon the request of head coach Martin Jol," Essam Serageldin, who is responsible for Ahly's new signings, told the club's official website. "The goalkeeper demanded nothing in return for moving to Ahly, where he will be a boost for the goalkeeping position in the coming period," he added. The Reds recently faced a goalkeeping crisis as first-choice keeper Sherif Ekramy was out of form in two important successive games in the CAF Champions League, causing the record holders of eight championships to lose in the beginning of the group stage against Zesco United of Zambia (3-2 away) and Ivory Coast's Asec Mimosa (2-1 at home). Ahly's Dutch coach Martin Jol decided to omit Ekramy to pave the way to reserving keeper Ahmed Adel, stressing that the club is in an urgent need to sign a new goalkeeper. El-Shennawy, 27, joined Ahly's youth ranks in 2002 from second division side El-Hamool, remaining with the Cairo giants until 2009 when he started a new football trip representing Premiere League clubs Talae El-Geish, Haras El-Hodoud and Petrojet. "I am happy to return to my old club. Playing for Ahly is a big responsibility and I will do my best to be a good boost for the team," declared El-Shennawy, who has previously represented Egypt's youth and Olympic national teams. At the African Champions League, Ahly will next face Wydad Casablanca of Morocco, with the home and away games scheduled for 16 and 27 July. The team has had no rest amid preparations for the Egypt Cup Round 16 match against Haras El-Hodoud Tuesday.