Latics seal Zaki capture
22 Jul 2008 - 11:54:57
Wigan Athletic have completed the signing of Amr Zaki after confirming the capture of the Egypt striker on a season-long loan deal.
Zaki, 25, agreed to join Steve Bruce's side last week but the deal was delayed as the Latics were involved in protracted negotiations with the striker's club side El Zamalek.
The deal was first mooted earlier in July, but looked like it had fallen through when reports claimed that Zaki had decided to pull out after being threatened by club bosses.
"It's been a real tough deal to push through, that's for sure," Bruce told the club's official website.
"But I'm delighted that Amr's finally a Wigan Athletic player. Everything has been sorted and now he can just get on with the job at hand."
Zaki is currently rated the number one striker in FIFA's world rankings after scoring 27 goals in 48 appearances for Egypt.
"Anyone with a one-in-two strike rate or better over 50 odd international games knows where the back of the net is," continued Bruce.
"Although he hasn't played in the Premier League, I am convinced, having seen him personally on several occasions that this boy can do the business."