CAIRO: Ahmed Fathi s move to Ahly will not go smoothly because the player had signed a paper prohibiting him from playing for any Egyptian side except Ismaili, his agent revealed on Monday.

I was surprised of this move, Ahmed Al-Rifaie told Egyptian TV.

I knew about this deal after Fathi has already agreed terms with Al Ahly. But the paper he signed with Ismaili in January can be a problem.

Several attempts to reach Fathi for comment were unsuccessful.

Al Ahly announced on Sunday signing Fathi from Sheffield United on a four-year deal for 675,000 English pounds starting from January.

Al Ahly s arch-rivals Zamalek said in August they agreed terms with Fathi, but the Egyptian international denied the claim.

Such a paper, if existed, won t be legal in Fifa s consideration but it may cause him problems if Ismaili decided to take the case to civil courts, according to Al-Rifaie.