Wigan Athletic have completed the signing of Egypt international Amr Zaki on a one-year loan deal from Zamalek.

The 25-year-old, who has scored 27 goals in 48 games for his country, clinched the move after a Wigan delegation flew to Egypt on Monday.

Zaki said: “I’ve come to England to score goals. That’s what I do.

“I want to show the manager and the fans that they have made a good choice and now I am totally focused on trying to get in the squad and prove myself.”

Wigan manager Steve Bruce said: “It has been a real tough deal to push through, that’s for sure, but I’m delighted that Amr’s finally a Wigan Athletic player. Everything has been sorted and now he can just get on with the job in hand.”

Zaki - dubbed the Egyptian Gladiator - has won the African Cup of Nations twice and was recently named as his country’s player of the year.

Bruce added: “Anyone with a one-in-two strike rate or better over 50-odd international games knows where the back of the net is.

“Although he hasn’t played in the Premier League, I am convinced, having seen him personally on several occasions, that this boy can do the business.

“I think our supporters will love him because he’s a passionate boy who plays with his heart on his sleeve. He is all-action, physically powerful, great in the air, with two great feet and a good turn of pace.”

Ref From BBC

Wigan Athletic boss Steve Bruce is hoping Egyptian striker Amr Zaki can light up the Premier League with the scoring form that has seen him ranked as the best hitman on the planet…

After a lengthy negotiation process, the Latics have finally secured Zaki’s services on an initial loan deal from El Zamalek, which could cost up to ₤2million depending on add-ons.

The 25-year-old has been prolific for both club and country since returning to Egypt after a horror spell at Lokomotiv Moscow in 2006, during which he failed to feature at all.

But Bruce hopes his new recruit can put his previous stint in Europe behind him and transfer the form he displayed for the Pharaohs in February to the JJB Stadium.

“According to FIFA statistics, Zaki is rated No 1 in the world,” Bruce said in the Daily Mail.

“He’s scored better than one in two for his country and Egypt won the Africa Cup of Nations. He’s a big star out there - I hope he can be for us.”

Ref From Mike Maguire - goal.com