Ahmed Hegazy

Full Name: Ahmed El-Sayed Hegazi
Date of Birth: January 25, 1991
Place of Birth: Ismailia, Egypt
Nationality: Egyptian
Position: Center-back
Height: 1.93 meters
Weight: 90 kg
Current Club: Neom FC (2024–Present)
Shirt Number: 6

Football Career

1. Early Career with Ismaily SC (2009–2012):

• Debut: Ahmed Hegazi began his professional career with Ismaily SC in the Egyptian Premier League in 2009. Initially playing as a right-back, he was later moved to center-back.
• Local Achievements: Hegazi played several games for the first team, becoming a vital part of the team’s defense. Despite being young, he demonstrated strong defensive abilities in local competitions.
• First Season: In the 2009-2010 season, Hegazi played 12 matches in the league and helped maintain a solid defense for his team.
• Stats: Over his time at Ismaily (2009-2012), he played 36 matches without scoring, but his defensive contributions were highly valued.
• Key Moments: Hegazi became one of the most trusted players in the team due to his physical strength and ability to handle attacking threats.

2. Move to Fiorentina (2012–2014):

• In December 2011, Hegazi transferred to Fiorentina in Serie A for €1.5 million.
• Challenging Start: Hegazi initially trained with Fiorentina and made his first appearances in friendly matches, playing 30 minutes against Varese.
• Injuries: Unfortunately, Hegazi suffered two serious knee ligament injuries (in 2012 and 2013), which kept him sidelined for a long time.
• Stats: He only played 4 official matches for Fiorentina during his two seasons due to frequent injuries.
• Conclusion: His time at Fiorentina ended when the club decided to sell him in January 2015 after a series of injury setbacks.

3. Loan to Perugia (2014–2015):

• Loan Move: Hegazi was loaned to Perugia in Serie B for the 2014-2015 season.
• Impact: This was a crucial period for Hegazi, as he had more playing time and regained his form after his injuries.
• Stats: He played 10 matches for Perugia and contributed to their defensive stability.

4. Return to Al Ahly (2015–2017):

• In September 2015, Hegazi returned to Egypt, signing with Al Ahly.
• Strong Start: In his first season at Al Ahly, Hegazi established himself as one of the top defenders in the league and brought much-needed stability to the team’s backline.
• Achievements:
  • CAF Champions League: Won the Champions League with Al Ahly in 2016.
  • Egyptian Premier League: Won two titles in the 2015-2016 and 2016-2017 seasons.
  • Egyptian Super Cup: Won the Super Cup in 2015 and 2017.
  • Leadership: Became one of the team captains due to his leadership and strong defensive performances.
• Stats: In his two seasons at Al Ahly, Hegazi played 56 matches, scoring 2 goals in domestic and continental competitions.
• Key Matches: He played a crucial role in the 2016 CAF Champions League final, where Al Ahly won the title.

5. Move to West Bromwich Albion (2017–2020):

• In July 2017, Hegazi joined West Bromwich Albion in the English Premier League on loan with a purchase option.
• Great Start: In his debut match against Bournemouth in August 2017, Hegazi scored a header to secure a 1-0 win for his team.
• Permanent Transfer: In December 2017, West Bromwich activated the purchase option to sign Hegazi permanently.
• Injuries: Despite some ankle injuries, Hegazi remained a key player for West Brom.
• Stats: He played 104 matches for the club and scored 4 goals. His time in the Premier League was challenging but rewarding, showing his ability to compete at the highest level.
• Key Moments: His performance in the Premier League was crucial for West Brom's defensive structure during his three seasons.

6. Move to Al-Ittihad (2020–2024):

• In October 2020, Hegazi moved to Al-Ittihad in Saudi Pro League on loan from West Bromwich Albion.
• Achievements:
  • Helped Al-Ittihad win the Saudi Pro League title in the 2022-2023 season.
  • Became a team captain due to his leadership and defensive strength.
  • Played a key role in solidifying the team’s defense.
• Stats: He played 90 matches for Al-Ittihad, scoring 5 goals, and was a vital player for the club during his time.

7. Move to Neom FC (2024–Present):

• In July 2024, Hegazi signed with Neom FC in the Saudi Pro League.
• Goal: To contribute to the growth of the team and further solidify his defensive legacy in the Saudi League.

International Career:

1. Egypt U-20:

• Hegazi began his international career with the Egypt U-20 team, where he represented Egypt in the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup held in Egypt.
• Achievements: He played a key role in the team’s progress to the later stages of the tournament.

2. Egypt National Team:

• Hegazi made his debut for the Egypt senior national team in 2011 and has been a regular member since then.
• Africa Cup of Nations: Played a significant role in the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations, where Egypt finished as runners-up, losing to Cameroon in the final.
• FIFA World Cup 2018: Represented Egypt in the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
• Stats:
  • Hegazi has played 43 matches for the Egypt national team, scoring 1 goal.

Club Career Stats:

Achievements:

With Clubs:

• Al Ahly:
  • Egyptian Premier League: (2 times)
  • CAF Champions League: (1 time)
  • Egyptian Super Cup: (2 times)
• Al-Ittihad:
  • Saudi Pro League: (1 time)

With Egypt National Team:

• Africa Cup of Nations 2017: Runners-up
• FIFA World Cup 2018: Participated in the tournament.

Playing Style:

• Defensive Abilities: Hegazi is known for his aerial dominance, excellent positioning, and strong tackling. His physical strength and height make him a formidable presence in the box, both defensively and offensively during set-pieces.
• Leadership: He is a natural leader, often wearing the captain’s armband and guiding younger players on and off the pitch.
• Aerial Ability: Hegazi excels in aerial duels, both defensively and offensively, scoring goals with headers from set-pieces.
• Composure: His calmness on the ball and ability to read the game make him a solid and dependable center-back.

Personality:

Hegazi is respected for his maturity, professionalism, and leadership qualities. Known for his calm demeanor and consistency on the field, he is a player who leads by example and has earned admiration from both teammates and fans.

Conclusion:

Ahmed Hegazi is considered one of Egypt's finest center-backs in recent history. His time in top leagues, including Italy, England, and Saudi Arabia, has earned him a reputation as a strong, reliable, and experienced defender. Whether at club level or for the national team, Hegazi has proven to be an essential figure, consistently showcasing his talent and leadership.