Al Ahly Move Quickly to Sign Mahmoud Salah After Yusuf Belmari Injury

Al Ahly have moved quickly to strengthen their squad after Yusuf Belmari suffered a serious knee injury, completing the signing of promising Ghazl El Mahalla forward Mahmoud Salah on a long-term contract.

The Egyptian giants confirmed the arrival of the 18-year-old on Thursday, with Salah agreeing to a five-year deal. The move gives Al Ahly another young option as the club continues to reshape its squad during the summer transfer window.

Mahmoud Salah Joins Al Ahly on Five-Year Deal

Al Ahly announced the transfer through their official account on X, confirming that all financial and administrative procedures had been completed.

The club's head of recruitment, Essam Serag El-Din, oversaw the final stages of the agreement in coordination with football director Wael Gomaa.

Salah, who emerged at Ghazl El Mahalla, has now taken the next major step in his career by joining one of Egypt's biggest clubs.

His age also makes the transfer part of Al Ahly's broader effort to add younger talent alongside more experienced players.

Belmari Injury Changes Al Ahly's Transfer Plans

The signing comes shortly after Moroccan defender Yusuf Belmari suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury that is expected to keep him out for a significant period.

Belmari joined Al Ahly from Raja Casablanca during the previous winter transfer window and signed a contract running until the summer of 2029.

His absence has created an immediate need for additional depth, particularly on the left side of the squad, prompting Al Ahly to accelerate their recruitment plans.

Tewfik Mohamed Emerges as Belmari Replacement

While Mahmoud Salah represents the club's sixth summer addition, Al Ahly are also working on a more direct solution to Belmari's absence.

Reports indicate that the club has reached an agreement in principle with Petrojet for left-back Tewfik Mohamed. The player is expected to provide additional cover on the left flank while Belmari recovers from his injury.

The potential arrival of Tewfik Mohamed would therefore address a different need from Salah's signing, with the two moves strengthening separate areas of the squad.

Al Ahly Continue Busy Summer Window

Salah becomes the sixth addition to Al Ahly's squad this summer. The club had already brought in Monsef Bakkar, Soufiane Ben Jedida, Ali Mahmoud and Oktay Abdullah, while also bringing back former player Akram Tawfik.

The latest moves underline Al Ahly's intention to build greater squad depth ahead of the new campaign.

For Salah, meanwhile, the transfer represents an opportunity to develop at a club competing regularly at the highest level of Egyptian and African football.