Town will be social climbers with Ramadan

“His fans in Egypt thought he would be playing regular football week in week out but he struggled to cement a place in the Stoke side last season. He is seen as a young raw talent and aged only 21 he still has a long way to go.”

Ramadan came to the fore of Egyptian football at his home city side Al Ahly, the most successful club in Egyptian football history with 40 Premier League titles to their name.

But the rise wasn’t without controversy. Whilst in the youth ranks, Al Ahly had to prove Ramadan’s age as there were questions over the forward’s date of birth.

Yousef explained: “In Egypt it is sometimes common to see parents forging their children’s birth certificate so they can get into lower years at school and in sport so they can excel against their peers.

“Due to the fact Ramadan was physically far superior than anyone his age he was always suspected of being a forged birth date child.

“However, his previous club Al-Ahly carried out extensive medical tests to prove he was the right age he was claiming to be.”

In his second season with the first team as an 18-year-old, Ramadan then caused a stir with a stand-onthe-ball trick performed in two different matches.

He first used the trick in a 2-0 win over Zamalek in the 2014/15 season, angering the opposition and causing Hazem Emam to kick out - resulting in a red card for the full back.

Ramadan then repeated the trick in the 2015 Egyptian Super Cup against the same opposition, again sparking anger from the Zamalek players.

Al Ahly went on to win the Cairo derby 3-2 and lift the trophy, with the winger apologising for showboating after the final whistle.