Hamed Hemdan to Pyramids FC kicks off 2026 Winter Transfer Window
The linchpin of Palestine's midfield returns to Pyramids SC, Odai Kharoub returns to Malaysia, while Ahmed Taha gets his long awaited move
Palestine’s epic run at the 2025 FIFA Arab Cup is yielding transfer moves for several national team players.
Hamed Hemdan has been the subject of transfer speculation for nearly a year and it was widely expected that the midfielder would leaver Petrojet for Zamalek. A move in the summer fell through leaving the 25 year old in limbo with Petrojet who punished him for his intransigence by dropping him from the squad.
The player eventually earned a reprieve and was impactful in his three Egyptian League appearances earning a Man of the Match award against Al-Ahly in a 1-1 draw that saw him score.
Hemdan first came to Egypt in December 2018 to join the youth ranks of Al-Ahly. That move quickly soured when the youngster showed up to training and was not given gear to train in. Since there was interest from Pyramids SC, Hemdan and his agent decided to void his contract and join the newly monied club.
Hemdan’s journey with the club would end after two years and his professional debut in the topflight would come while on loan to Tanta- where he registered four appearances in the 2019/20 season. Hemdan would spend the next five seasons building his reputation in the country’s second and third tiers for the likes of Al-Jazeera SC, Al-Magd, before signing for Petrojet in August 2023.
Hemdan played a critical role in the team’s promotion campaign in 2023/24 and was one of the side’s best players last season.
A move to Zamalek could have been sealed earlier in the year had to Cairo giants not been strapped for cash. In the end, Hemdan’s former club swept in paying 50 million Egyptian Pounds ($1.05M) to Petrojet to secure his services. Hemdan is expected to earn around $375,000 per year with his new club on a contract that will run for three and a half years.
Kharoub signs for Negeri Sembilan
Odai Kharoub is back in the Malaysian Super League a year after departing Kelantan for Al-Ahly Benghazi. The Libyan club had refused to honor Kharoub’s contract which led to a mutual parting of ways. In his brief time with Kelantan, Kharoub was one of the best midfielders in the Malaysian topflight. The deal runs until the end of the season.
Ahmed Taha signs for Al-Wakrah
Ahmed Taha had been holding out for a move to the QSL after making his national team debut nine months ago. Al-Wakrah have now secured his services by paying SC Kafr Qasim $315,000. The club is expected to unveil the left back in the coming days.