Hajduk linked with Ahmed Nabil Koka, the Al Ahly midfielder whose contract is expiring
According to information reported on June 3, 2026 by Croatian and Egyptian sources, Hajduk is being mentioned as a possible new destination for Ahmed Nabil Koka, the 24-year-old Al Ahly footballer and occasional Egypt international. This is a player whose contract with the Egyptian giant, according to Transfermarkt data, expires on June 30, 2026, which makes the whole case particularly interesting ahead of the summer transfer window. If the contract is not extended by then, Koka could be available on the market without a classic transfer fee, although the total financial package would still include salary, possible bonuses and other contractual items. Sportske novosti reported that the information originated from Egyptian media, with the claim that Hajduk had sent an official offer, but such a claim has not yet been confirmed by an official announcement from the Split club. For that reason, the entire story must still be viewed as a transfer rumour, not as a completed or officially agreed deal.
According to reports relayed by Sportske novosti and Slobodna Dalmacija, Egyptian journalist Samir Hazem from the Offside portal connected the story with a report by Ahmed Shobier on the ON Sport FM radio station. These reports mention that Hajduk would offer Koka 300,000 per season, an additional 100,000 as a signing bonus and a share of a future sale. Sportske novosti cites the amounts in dollars and mentions ten percent of a possible next transfer, while euro labels also appeared in some social media posts. Since the clubs have not publicly confirmed the details, the amounts should be treated as media reports, not as official contract terms. In transfer negotiations, the difference between salary, a signing bonus and a percentage of a future sale can be decisive, especially when a player arrives without a transfer fee, because in that case a larger part of the deal’s value shifts into personal terms and contractual clauses.
Who is Ahmed Nabil Koka?
Ahmed Nabil Koka, full name Ahmed Nabil Ashour, was born on July 4, 2001 in Cairo, and according to Transfermarkt he has played for Al Ahly since 2021. The same source states that he is primarily a defensive midfielder, but that he can also cover the positions of left-back and central midfielder. Such positional flexibility is one of the main reasons why his name fits the profile of the kind of footballer clubs often look for in the modern transfer window: a player who does not fill only one gap in the squad, but can give the coach several tactical solutions. Koka is left-footed, is 1.78 metres tall according to Transfermarkt, and the same service estimates his market value at 1.2 million euros. That estimate is not an official price, but it provides a framework for understanding why a player nearing the end of his contract would be interesting to clubs that want to reduce transfer-fee expenses.
His playing profile in Egyptian and specialised football sources is described as more defensive than highly creative. According to an analysis relayed by Egyptian journalist Samir Hazem, Koka stands out for tactical discipline, the ability to carry the ball out from the back line and responsibility in covering space behind teammates. In the same description, a lack of strength in physical duels, a more modest attacking output and occasional mistakes under high pressure are listed as weaknesses. Such characteristics point to a player who can help the team’s stability, but who probably would not be brought in as a classic creator or midfielder expected to produce a large number of goals and assists. For a club like Hajduk, that is an important distinction, because any potential arrival of Koka would have to correspond to a precisely defined role in midfield or on the left side of defence.
Why is the contract situation crucial?
The most important element of this transfer story is the fact that Koka’s contract with Al Ahly expires at the end of June 2026. Transfermarkt lists June 30, 2026 as the contract expiry date on the player’s profile, which means that, if no extension occurs, he could negotiate as a free player from July 1. Such a status significantly changes the balance of power in negotiations: the club that wants to bring him in does not have to agree a fee with Al Ahly, but the player and his representatives can ask for a higher signing bonus or better terms because they know that the buyer is not paying a transfer price. That is precisely why media reports about a bonus and a percentage of a future sale are not unusual, but are a common part of the negotiating logic for players whose contracts are expiring. For Hajduk, such a deal, if it proves real, could be financially more acceptable than buying a player under a long-term contract.
On the other hand, a free player rarely means a completely cheap player. If there is competition, especially from the domestic Egyptian league or other European clubs, the total cost can rise through salary, commissions and additional contractual bonuses. African and Middle Eastern clubs have in recent years increasingly actively protected the value of players through contract extensions, while lower- and mid-budget European clubs often look for opportunities precisely among players whose free-agent status is opening up. In that context, Koka is not just a name on the market, but an example of a broader scouting model in which relatively young players are sought, with experience at a major club and international appearances, but without a high entry price. Until there is official confirmation, however, it is not possible to conclude how far the negotiations have progressed and whether there is a real agreement between the parties.
Al Ahly’s context and experience in big matches
Koka comes from a club that has an extremely high status in African football. Al Ahly is one of the most successful clubs on the continent, and players who grow up there and enter the first team become accustomed to the pressure of results, international matches and constant competition for trophies. FotMob states in Koka’s profile that during his career he has won a series of trophies with Al Ahly, including titles in the Egyptian league, the Egypt Cup, the Egyptian Super Cup, the CAF Champions League and the CAF Super Cup. Although the number of trophies may differ depending on the methodology of an individual service and the degree of the player’s participation in a season, such data shows that Koka is not a player from an isolated competitive environment. His experience at a club with strong demands could be relevant when assessing adaptation to the atmosphere of Poljud and the expectations that come with playing for Hajduk.
According to FotMob, in the 2025/2026 season Koka recorded 1042 minutes in the Egyptian Premier League, one goal, no assists, three yellow cards and one red card. These data do not tell the whole story about a defensive midfielder or full-back, but they confirm that his direct attacking contribution is not his primary value. With such a player profile, off-ball movement, positioning, securing space, moving the ball toward midfield and the ability for the team to remain balanced after losing possession are more important. In Hajduk’s case, Koka’s possible arrival would make sense only if the coaching staff and sporting sector see him as a player for a clear tactical function. Without such a role, versatility can be an advantage on paper, but it does not necessarily mean a real reinforcement.
International status and the World Cup
Transfermarkt states in the player’s profile that Koka has played for the Egyptian national team and has 11 appearances without a goal. This places him among players who have already been part of the senior international circle, although he is not a regular key player. According to the final squad lists for the 2026 World Cup published by international media based on registered squads, Koka is not among Egypt’s 26 players for the tournament in the United States of America, Canada and Mexico. Egypt’s list includes numerous Al Ahly players, but not his name, which confirms that he is currently not a player from the innermost selection of coach Hossam Hassan. Still, the fact that he has already been in the international environment remains part of his professional profile and may be important in assessing market value.
Absence from the final World Cup list can be interpreted in several ways, but it should not automatically be seen as a negative sporting verdict. In national teams with a strong domestic base, competition is often linked to current form, tactical needs and the player profile the coach wants for a short tournament. For a club considering a transfer, this can also mean a practical advantage: the player could be more available during the summer for negotiations, medical examinations and the start of preparations. At the same time, absence from a major competition reduces the possibility of his price rising further after good performances on the global stage. In Hajduk’s case, if the interest really exists, the timing and speed of negotiations could be just as important as the offer itself.
What could Koka bring to Hajduk?
In football terms, Koka fits the description of a player who can cover multiple zones in the back and middle lines. As a defensive midfielder, he could serve as a safeguard in front of the defence, especially in matches in which the team wants better control of the space between the lines. As a left-back or wide player in a more conservative setup, he could offer additional security in build-up play and in closing the space behind the winger. The tactical value of such a player increases in teams that want to adapt to different opponents without a large number of changes in the squad. If reports are confirmed that Hajduk is looking for solutions in midfield, Koka would be a profile that brings depth, but not necessarily a solution to all of the team’s creative requirements.
A particularly important question is whether he can play as a lone "six" in a system that requires a lot of responsibility in defensive transition. The Egyptian description of his profile highlights reading of the game, discipline and ball progression, but at the same time warns about physical duels and playing under high pressure. The Croatian league generally requires a large number of contacts, duel play and adaptation to matches in which the rhythm often changes, so any adaptation to the SuperSport HNL would be an important part of the assessment. Given that Hajduk play under significant pressure of results and expectations, the psychological component would also not be negligible. A player coming from Al Ahly is accustomed to big demands, but every environment has its specific pressure, and Poljud is a particularly intense environment in that regard.
Sporting policy under Robert Graf
On April 15, 2026, Hajduk officially announced that Robert Graf was the club’s new sporting director, and at the presentation Management Board president Ivan Bilić said that the goals for the next season remain competitiveness, the fight for trophies in domestic competitions and entry into the group stage of Europe. At the same conference, according to Hajduk’s announcement, Graf emphasised that the club would have to be smart in scouting and that changes within the squad are handled internally. Precisely because of that, every transfer rumour from abroad gains a broader context: Hajduk must look for players who can bring quality, but also fit the club’s financial possibilities. A player like Koka, if he is truly available without a transfer fee, would fit into a model in which the transfer risk is reduced through the initial price. But the final assessment of such a deal would depend on salary, bonuses, contract length and the role he would have in the team.
Graf’s arrival marked a new phase in the sporting strategy of the Split club, and the first transfer window under a new sporting director is usually a period in which priorities are identified. If Hajduk is indeed inquiring about Koka, that would suggest a search for players outside the usual regional market, which can be an advantage if the scouting is sufficiently precise. The Egyptian market is not simple for European clubs because players from the biggest clubs there often have a different financial status, and negotiations can include strong influence from representatives and domestic competitors. On the other hand, a player whose contract is expiring opens space for a more direct agreement. In that sense, the story about Koka does not have to mean only the possible arrival of one player, but also an indicator of how Hajduk wants to search the market.
Why does caution remain necessary?
During transfer periods, reports about offers often appear before negotiations are truly in their final phase. Sometimes they are placed by media, sometimes by representatives, and sometimes by the parties in negotiations themselves in order to test the market or strengthen their negotiating position. In this case, there are several elements that make the story relevant: reports from Egypt, publications by Croatian media, the player’s contract nearing its end and a profile that could suit certain needs of Hajduk. Still, there is no official confirmation from Hajduk, Al Ahly or the player’s representative that the deal has been agreed. For that reason, the most precise wording would be that Hajduk are being linked with Koka, not that the transfer is close to completion.
Hajduk’s official website on June 3, 2026 did not have confirmation of Ahmed Nabil Koka’s arrival among its current posts, and without such an announcement the status of the story remains informal. This does not mean that negotiations do not exist, but that the public currently has only media information available. In practice, transfers of free players often develop quickly, but they can also stop just as suddenly if financial terms change or if another club becomes involved. For Hajduk, any eventual agreement would have to pass sporting, financial and medical checks before becoming official. Until then, Koka is an interesting name on the market and a possible candidate for reinforcement, but not a new player of the Split club.
Sources:
- Sportske novosti / Jutarnji list – media reports about Hajduk’s interest, the amounts of the offer, the role of Egyptian journalist Samir Hazem and the description of the player’s strengths and weaknesses (link)
- Slobodna Dalmacija – additional Croatian media report about the transfer rumour, Koka as an Al Ahly player, the alleged financial package and the status of his contract (link)
- Transfermarkt – Ahmed Nabil Koka’s profile, data on age, positions, club, market value, international appearances and contract expiry on June 30, 2026 (link)
- FotMob – player’s statistical profile, data on appearances in the 2025/2026 season, minutes, cards, trophies and positional profile (link)
- HNK Hajduk Split – official announcement on the appointment of Robert Graf as Hajduk’s sporting director (link)
- HNK Hajduk Split – official overview of current club news used to verify that Ahmed Nabil Koka’s transfer has not been officially confirmed (link)
- HNK Hajduk Split – official presentation of new sporting director Robert Graf, statements about scouting, the squad and the club’s goals for the next season (link)
- TimesLIVE – published final squad lists for the 2026 World Cup and verification that Ahmed Nabil Koka was not included among Egypt’s players (link)