Former West Brom defender confirms retirement

Former Albion defender Ahmed Hegazi has confirmed his retirement from playing.

The 35-year-old has hung up his boots after finishing the season at Saudi Arabia club Neom.

The central defender played 104 times for Albion between 2017 and 2020 and was a promotion-winner from the Championship in 2019/20.

He joined the Baggies, initially on loan, ahead of the final top flight campaign prior to relegation and played in all 38 Premier League games. Hegazi, an 88-cap Egypt international, was a regular in the first season back in the Championship, which ended in play-off disappointment.

Hegazi played 18 times in all competitions in the promotion-winning campaign, in which he missed spells through surgery on an injury.

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He wrote in a post on social media: “Today, I announced my retirement from football as a player... but not my passion and love for it.

“Thank you to football for every moment, every challenge, every lesson, and every memory you created with me.

“My journey on the field has ended, but my journey with football continues, with the same passion, ambition, and determination.”

Hegazi initially left for Saudi club Al-Ittihad on loan in late 2020 before a permanent exit the following year. He enjoyed title-winning success with the club before the last two years at Neom in the second tier.