In a move that was long rumored, Musab Al-Battat has secured his first move away from the Palestinian Leagues. In a move that is proving popular with more than one Palestinian player, Al-Battat will play across the border in Egypt.
At the time of writing, Al-Battat will become one of three Palestinians playing in the Egyptian top tier joining Mahmoud Wadi (Pyramids FC) and Mohammed Balah (Al-Masry SC).
The right back who made his national team debut in April 2013 against Qatar has agreed a three year deal with Cleopatra FC.
Al-Battat played all but two of his seasons with his hometown club, Shabab Al-Dhahrieh. From 2017 to 2019 Al-Battat played at Ahli Al-Khaleel a period which saw him displace Alexis Norambuena and Jaka Ihbeisheh as the Palestine’s undisputed first choice at right back.
The Egyptian Premier League is set to kickoff on October 24th but Musab Al-Battat played a vital role in getting Shabab Al-Dhahrieh back into the WBPL in 2019, getting them promoted in 2020, and keeping them up in 2021. The national team vice captain is a big reason why the humble team from the hills of Hebron are undefeated so far in 2021/2022- winning all their games in the Yasser Arafat Cup and collecting 7/9 points in the league.
His final game, a 2-2 draw against Hilal Al-Quds, saw him serenaded by both sets of supporters. Cleopatra FC rotated between three players at right back last season; only one, Mohammed Sakr, is still with the club and it is widely believed that Al-Battat will go straight into the starting lineup.
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