Egyptian left-back Youssef Afifi has joined El Gouna from Cleopatra FC on loan in a move that keeps the 25-year-old in the Premier League.
Afifi completed the switch on 14 August 2026, with the loan running until 30 June 2027. He returns to the division after spending the previous campaign with Smouha, where he was also on loan from Cleopatra FC.
The move gives Afifi another opportunity to establish himself in Egypt’s top flight while remaining under contract with Cleopatra. He joined Cleopatra from Dayrout SC in September 2024 and helped the club win the Egyptian League Cup during the 2024-25 season.
Afifi spent the 2025-26 season at Smouha before returning to Cleopatra at the end of June. His latest transfer now takes him to El Gouna, with both clubs competing in the Premier League.
The defender has recorded appearances in the Championship Playoff, Premier League, Egyptian League Cup and Egypt Cup during his career. He has made six Championship Playoff appearances, four in the Premier League, four in the Egyptian League Cup and one in the Egypt Cup.
Afifi is a left-footed defender whose primary position is left-back. He will remain in Egypt’s top division after moving between three Premier League clubs across successive loan spells.
His first spell away from Cleopatra came when he joined Smouha on loan in July 2025. After returning to his parent club in June 2026, he has now moved again, this time to El Gouna for the 2026-27 campaign.
The transfer extends a sequence of changes for Afifi since his arrival at Cleopatra. Before joining the club, he had played for Dayrout SC, while his season with Cleopatra included the club’s Egyptian League Cup triumph.
Afifi’s contract is due to expire on 30 June 2027, the same date on which his loan at El Gouna is scheduled to end. The Egyptian defender has therefore joined El Gouna for the 2026-27 season while remaining tied to Cleopatra.
Youssef Afifi has completed his loan move from Cleopatra FC to El Gouna until 30 June 2027.
