Accra Hearts of Oak have failed in their bid to keep star player Thomas Abbey as he completes a free agent move to Egyptian giants Ismaily SC.
The 24-year-old attacker has agreed terms with Ismaily and touched down in Cairo Wednesday evening to complete medical and other formalities for his switch.
Abbey has been out of contract since the end of the 2016/17 season.
He sparked doubts over his long-term future with the Phobians when he rejected the club’s offer of an extension and distanced himself from pre-season training. The former Windy professional trainee was not happy with the financial terms put forward by the Hearts management.
Abbey, who captained Hearts and scored 13 league goals last season, had given the Phobians some hope when he joined the team’s pre-season preparations for the first time on January 8.
Media reports in recent weeks linked him with a move abroad – the likes of Ajax Cape Town, MLS side Minnesota and others were all rumoured to be interested in his signature but he has now ended up in the Egyptian Premier League.
Ismaily SC sit second on the Egpytian Premier League table behind. Abbey could have his debut in a trip away to leaders Al Ahly on Tuesday January 30.
