CAIRO: Ahmed "Mido Hossam has joined Zamalek on a season-long loan from English Championship side Middlesbrough, with a view to a permanent move. Chairman Mamdouh Abbas exerted lots of efforts to wrap up the deal, Zamalek spokesman Sabri Serag told the club s official website early on Friday. We paid Middlesbrough LE 4 million to acquire Mido s services. We can also sign him permanently next summer if we pay £1 million for the English side. Mido, who came through Zamalek s youth ranks, returns to the Cairo giants after spending 10 years in Europe. The towering striker played for Gent, Ajax Amsterdam, Celta Vigo, Marseille and Roma before joining Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League. He experienced mixed fortunes at Spurs before moving to Gareth Southgate s Middlesbrough, where he failed to establish himself as a regular first-team player. The club s relegation to the second division left Mido with no choice but to eye a new move. A return to Egypt was appealing to him. Of course my wages are too heavy bear for Zamalek, but I am ready to give up some money and I think it won t be a problem, Mido said recently. The 26-year-old spent the second half of last season on loan at Wigan Athletic, where he partnered compatriot Amr Zaki upfront for several games. He may now team up with Zaki again if the Bulldozer, who still wants to continue his European adventure, stays put. Mido is Zamalek s fourth high-profile acquisition in the close season following the arrival of midfield duo Hassan Mostafa and Ibrahim Ayew and striker Ahmed Gaafar.
