Introducing Ramadan Sobhi
REGARDED as the hottest young talent in African football … Ramadan Sobhi arrives at the bet365 Stadium eager to showcase his talents on the grandest stage of all, the Premier League.
Tipped for the very top by fellow professionals and media pundits in his homeland, the hugely talented and creative 19-year-old becomes Mark Hughes’ first capture of the summer and the first ever Egyptian to sign for the Potters.
Born in Cairo, in June 1997, Sobhi’s most natural playing position is on the left wing, although he is equally as adept on the right, in the number 10 role or as an out and out striker.
Despite his young age he has already tasted significant success having helped his country’s most decorated club Al Ahly to the Egyptian Premier League title on two occasions (2014 and 2016).
He also played a prominent role in the side that claimed two Egyptian Super Cup crowns (2014 and 2015) whilst he made his domestic breakthrough during Al Ahly’s triumphant 2014 CAF Confederations Cup campaign.
It wasn’t long before his talents were noted at international level as he was called up to the senior Egyptian squad last year, making his debut as a 17-year-old against Tanzania.
His inclusion in the side, just two weeks before his 18th birthday, led to him becoming the second youngest player to appear for Egypt behind former Tottenham Hotspur and Hull City striker Mido.
Thus far, he has featured six times for his country, chipping in with one goal - a match-winning strike against Nigeria in a crucial 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in March this year.
Nicknamed ‘Ramadona’ in Africa, because of his apparent similarities to Argentinean great Maradona, Sobhi departs Al Ahly having scored 17 goals in 71 appearances for the club in just over two years.
Prior to his move to North Staffordshire, the livewire attacker was linked with the likes of Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Premier League rivals Arsenal.
