Which is better for Egypt's El Hadary at 44: Retirement or club move?

Essam El Hadary is the first foreign goalkeeper to sign for a Saudi Arabian club. What comes to mind after hearing this may be the question of fitness for the man who turned 44 in January this year.

The Egypt international has signed a one-year deal with Al Taawoun FC from home club Wadi Degla, reports say. The deal is backed by Al-Taawoun’s supporter Turki Al-Alshikh.

Recently, the Saudi Football Federation decided to allow clubs to buy foreign goalkeepers as part of the non-domestic four players list. The record-breaking goalkeeper earlier expressed his approval of this decision and said he was open to offers from the Saudi league.

Following the recent developments within the Saudi Arabian Football Federation, the number of foreign players that clubs can sign has increased from four to six for next season.
El Hadary’s decision to join the Saudi side implies second-placed Egyptian Premier League side, Misr El-Maqassa, no longer sustain hopes earlier seen.

The man who played an important role in helping Egypt reach the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations final in Gabon, is quoted by the BBC as saying, “I wish to make the fans proud there and add a new chapter to my history."

El-Hadary has represented Egypt 144 times, winning the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) four times with his country. He was chosen as the best goalkeeper in the 2006 AFCON, held in homeland Egypt and in the AFCON, held in Ghana and he was the best goalkeeper for the AFCON, held in Angola.

On 17 January 2017, two days after his 44th birthday, he became the oldest player to ever appear in an AFCON match after replacing Ahmed El-Shenawy in Egypt's first match of the tournament.

Before joining Al Taawoun FC, he has played for Al Ahly, FC Sion, Ismaily, Zamalek, Al Merreikh of Sudan, Al Ittihad, Damietta and Wadi Degla.