"Ekrami has now become an Ahli player," the club's marketing director Adli Al-Qaeyi told FilGoal.com.

Al-Qaeyi did not disclose the length of the deal, which will come into effect when the transfer window reopens in January.

Ekrami, who joined Gouna in the close season after his contract with Dutch side Feyenoord expired, has been a revelation in his five months with the promoted club.

Ahli, who considered signing Ekrami last summer but changed their mind, have been keeping tabs on him after he pulled off a string of superb saves in Gouna's 1-1 draw with Zamalek in October.

The 26-year-old, son of Ahli great and former keeper Ekrami, is moving back to his boyhood club but a regular place in the Red Devils' starting line-up is not guaranteed.

Ahmed Adel produced some assuring displays between the sticks for a team who have struggled to fill in for Essam Al-Hadari since his acrimonious departure in February 2008.

The future of Palestinian goalie Ramzi Saleh is now far from certain as he is set to become Ahli's third-choice guardian.