Algeria striker Moncef Bakrar says the stature of Al Ahly and the influence of coach Hicham Amouta convinced him to join the Egyptian champions from Dinamo Zagreb.
The forward has reached an agreement to sign for Al Ahly, leaving Croatian side Dinamo Zagreb in the current summer transfer window.
Speaking to Maghreb Foot, Bakrar explained that he opted for the Cairo giants despite receiving several offers from European clubs, stressing that Al Ahly’s determination to secure his services was decisive.
According to the same report, the 23-year-old was swayed by the club’s history, ambitions and constant push for trophies.
“Al Ahly is a big club and needs no introduction, and I am honoured to join them,” Bakrar said. “This team competes for titles every season, and that is what I am aiming to achieve with them.”
Amouta’s role in sealing the deal
Bakrar underlined that new head coach Hicham Amouta was central to his final decision, after direct talks about his prospective role in the team.
“The coach Amouta spoke to me and confirmed that he is counting on me a lot,” Bakrar said. “He also convinced me with his technical project and the style of play that we will adopt in the attacking line, and that increased my enthusiasm to choose Al Ahly.”
Al Ahly’s hierarchy had been keen to reinforce their frontline this summer, and viewed the Algeria international as a key target to bolster their attacking options.
The club’s insistence and Amouta’s clear vision for how Bakrar would fit into the system were presented as major factors in the move, according to Maghreb Foot.
Targeting trophies with the Cairo giants
Bakrar concluded his remarks by setting out his ambitions for his time at the club, making clear he is joining with the expectation of helping Al Ahly sustain their challenge on multiple fronts.
He said he is eager to “provide the expected addition” for the red-shirted side and expressed his hope that he will live up to the expectations of the coaching staff and supporters.
The Algerian added that he wants to contribute to Al Ahly’s ongoing pursuit of domestic and continental honours, and to play his part in maintaining the club’s tradition of competing for all available titles every season.
No financial details or contract length were disclosed in the Maghreb Foot report, which focused on Bakrar’s reasoning for choosing Al Ahly over other suitors and the central role played by Amouta in concluding the deal.
