Ali Lotfi, the current goalkeeper of ZED Club and former Al Ahly player, celebrates his 36th birthday today, Tuesday. Born on October 14, 1989, Lotfi is a product of ENPPI Club’s youth system and was promoted to their first team in December 2009. Al Ahly officials signed Ali Lotfi in the 2018 season after Ahmed Adel Abdel Moneim, Al Ahly’s third goalkeeper, requested to leave during the winter transfer window seeking more playing time.

Ali Lotfi is considered one of the best goalkeepers in Egyptian football. He has performed his duties with remarkable excellence and won the hearts of Al Ahly fans whenever he got the chance, whether when El Shenawy was infected with the coronavirus or at the end of last season when key players were rested, shining in the Al Ahly goal.

He delivered his best performance against Zamalek in the Cairo Derby, acting as a fortress against the white team’s attacks and saving a crucial penalty kick.

Swiss coach Marcel Koller, former Al Ahly manager, did not object to Ali Lotfi’s departure due to the goalkeeper’s desire for regular playing time.

ZED successfully secured Ali Lotfi’s services in a permanent transfer deal. The goalkeeper bid farewell to Al Ahly saying, “I don’t know where to start or how, but inside me are feelings I can’t express. Today is my last day at the club that was my lifelong dream to play for since I started playing football, the club where I spent the best six years of my life.”

The former Al Ahly goalkeeper added, “I achieved titles and accomplishments at Al Ahly that will always be a badge of honor on my chest. Six years during which I received all the love and respect from every member of the Al Ahly organization. God knows I never fell short in my duties to the club.”

Al Ahly bid farewell to Ali Lotfi by posting his photo on the club’s official pages, writing: “Ali Lotfi presented a wonderful example of loyalty, commitment, and respect.”

Ali Lotfi played a single match with the Egyptian national team on June 8, 2016. He participated in 43 matches with Al Ahly across all competitions, totaling 3,381 minutes, conceding 27 goals, keeping 25 clean sheets, and receiving three yellow cards. He won three Egyptian Premier League titles, two CAF Champions League titles, two CAF Super Cups, one Egypt Cup, and two bronze medals in the FIFA Club World Cup with Al Ahly.