Meteb seals dream move

Emad Meteb has described his move to Bristol City as a dream come true.

City last night completed the signing of the 25-year-old Egyptian international star from Al-Ahly on a three-year contract for a club record fee of £1.5m.

The striker passed a medical in Bristol and will be ready to play for the Championship club just as soon as he is granted a work permit.

Now back in Egypt, Meteb said: “It's always been my dream to play in England.

“It's a very big league, a very strong league and one that is seen around the world.

“I have to score goals for Bristol City and create them too.

“I want to help the club win promotion to the Premier League and I hope I realise all my dreams.

“I'm happy to be here and I hope to give my best for Bristol City. I want to give my best for the manager, who I like very much.”

Contrary to reports in north Africa earlier this week, Meteb will not play for Al-Ahly in Sunday's CAF Champions League game against Zamalek in Cairo.

He had intended making a farewell appearance for the Egyption champions until City put a block on him playing.

City manager Gary Johnson confirmed: “We had to apply for his work permit and for that to happen he must cancel his registration with Al-Ahly.

“We need Meteb to be available for us at the start of the season.

“He wanted to play one more time and say goodbye, but he won't play.”

Meteb has been with Al-Ahly since the age of 12 and admits he had to think long and hard before deciding to move.

He said: “This is a very big step from the Egyptian League to England. It's been difficult to leave the club where I grew up and learnt my football.

“But this is a professional life and I'm sure they will understand my decision in Egypt.”

As revealed in the Evening Post last month, Meteb was City boss Johnson's number one transfer target, but negotiations occupied several weeks and, even after the clubs agreed a deal.

Johnson said: “These transfers do take time, especially when you are dealing with people halfway across the world.

“Meteb has always been our number one target. He's a quality finisher and a fox in the box. We've needed one for sometime and I think he can work well with any of the strikers we've got at the club.

“Meteb has a good work-rate and a sporting personality that people will like. We just hope he gets his goals and his confidence early.”

Meteb boasts a prolific scoring record in Egyptian football, having scored 89 goals in 172 outings for Al-Ahly in four seasons and 22 in 47 appearances for the national side.

City's previous record signing was Ade Akinbiyi, who cost £1.2m just over 10 years ago.