Ahmed Hegazi signs for West Brom on a permanent deal after successful loan from Al Ahly
Egypt international has put his name on the dotted line at the Hawthorns after impressing Alan Pardew during his loan stint
AHMED HEGAZI has signed for West Brom on a permanent basis after West Brom decided to activate a clause in his deal to make the move permanent.
The Egypt international was on loan from Al Ahly since July and he has signed 4½-year deal for an undisclosed fee.
Hegazi was in the West Brom side that lost 2-1 to Manchester United yesterday - a match that was memorable for his run-ins with United forward Marcus Rashford.
The 26-year-old defender had been initially on loan at the Hawthorns with a view to making the switch permanent, but after Alan Pardew took over last month, the Baggies boss wanted to make the move permanent.
The West Brom gaffer said: "This is great news for the club - Ahmed has been absolutely terrific for me since I arrived and I am sure there is even more to come from him in the future.
"He is one of the players we can build around on the road ahead.
TRANSFER NEWS
"He has a big role to play and it is good for the player and the club to remove any doubts and make the transfer permanent.
"I'm sure it is something the supporters will also welcome."
Hegazi had a stint at Fiorentina earlier in his career, but it did not work out at the Tuscan club, before he moved to Perugia in Serie B.
After 10 games in Umbria he switched to Egypt's biggest club in Al Ahly, where he caught the eye of Tony Pulis' scouts, before making the loan switch to the Midlands over the summer.
Hegazi said: "I am very happy with the club and very happy to be part of this group of players.
"I know the results are not what we would want at the moment.
"But there is great spirit here and I am sure that we will turn the results in our favour before long."