Sobhi unfazed by Al-Hadari arrival

الثلاثاء، 21 يوليه 2009 - 15:36

كتب : Sherif Tarek

Ismaili goalie Mohamed Sobhi says he's happy with the arrival of Egypt keeper Essam Al-Hadari at the coastal club.

Al-Hadari completed his move to the Dervishes from Sion on Monday after both clubs agreed to conclude the deal for a sum of $600,000.

The former Ahli guardian will definitely be Ismaili's first choice, while Sobhi, who was criticized on numerous occasions over the past years for his recurrent blunders, should be his deputy.

However, Sobhi is determined to retain his regular spot between the sticks.

"I have no worries over the competition with Al-Hadari for a place in the starting line-up, on the contrary, I love competition," the 28-year-old told FilGoal.com.

"This kind of atmosphere will actually result in everybody's improvement.

"Al-Hadari is my role model; I've learned a lot from him during the Egyptian national side's camps and we have a good relationship with each other.

"But I will not settle for the substitute role without a fight. I will do my best to keep my position."

Improved Contract

Sobhi, whose current contract runs out by the end of next season, has been Ismaili's regular keeper for almost a decade.

He has been in talks with his club for a while over a contract extension, but no agreement has been reached thus far.

Sobhi was offered EGPone million to extend his deal, but he insists on signing an improved contract like the key figures of his team.

"I have been featuring for Ismaili for 10 years, so getting an improved deal is a legitimate request," he stated.

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