Rami: "A perfect move for the moment"

Rami: "A perfect move for the moment"

Date: 20-1-2004
Wrote: EP's reporter Karem Ahmed

EXCLUSIVE: Rami Shaaban's loan move to West Ham has come as a surprise, not just for fans but also for the player himself, as it happened in a flash. EP presents this interview with the player, about his move, his aims and his hopes..

The injury and retirement of Shaaban's old team-mate and goalkeeping legend, David Seaman, at Manchester City prompted the club to sign West Ham goalkeeper David James. The London-based club had within days compensated for this by bringing over Egyptian goalkeeper Rami Shaaban from Arsenal on a month loan, with the possibility of an extension to the deal.

Rami Shaaban admits that the move also took him by surprise and that there was no prior planning. "The move went so quick," he says. "I didn't know anything in the morning and I went to training. Five minutes before I was supposed to go out on the pitch the boss took me to his room and asked if I was interested to go on loan to West Ham for a month.

"I had to give them an answer almost straight away because of the time limit on transfers being allowed to play in the FA Cup for them.... So I said yes."

"The other good thing about this move is that West Ham is based in London and so I don't have to move my family or anything like that. It will be as normal... everything except that I will be training in another training-ground, so that's good for us."

EP: How do you feel the move will help you in your career?

RS: "I think it is a perfect move in my career at the moment. I need games and I will get that at West Ham. I will be taking a good step forward, not too big step but a good one because I have only played some reserve games and I need to play competitive games. I think it's better this way instead of having to play in the Champions League quarter-final straight away if that were to be the case.."

EP: How do you feel about taking on this challenge?

RS: "I see it as a good challenge for me and it will help me see where I stand after my injury."

EP: What are your aims from the move, and your future plans?

RS: "When it comes to the future, my first goal is to stay at Arsenal, but they need to see me play before they will even consider extending my contract with them... So InshaAllah it will go well so that I will be sitting in the driving seat when it comes to extending the contract or going to another club."

EP: How do you feel about leaving your team-mates at Arsenal, even if temporarily?

RS: "When it comes to leaving my team-mates at Arsenal it is sad, but normal in today's football life, and it's only for a month so that won't be any problem. I will go and visit them every now and then. All of them wished me good luck and that's good to have with you when you go away from them."

EP: Was there any other interest in you?

RS: "I haven't spoken to any other clubs because I will give Arsenal the first option if they want to extend after they had been so good to me during my injury. I think they deserve it. There have been other clubs in contact, but I don't think about it at the moment."

EP wish Rami the best at West Ham, and hope that he can find a firm place in the team. The coming match for the side will be away at Wolverhampton Wanderers in the F.A Cup, and Shaaban may well play in this game if he is able to convince the West Ham manager with his performances in training and is able to acclimatise with his new team. More important will be West Ham's attempts to regain a place in the Premier League and it is hoped that Rami can have a positive input in this aim..

More exclusive news on EP soon...

Discuss the latest about Egyptian soccer in EP forums
Read Egyptianplayers.com reports on Rami Shaaban in Professionals page
Read older reports on Rami in Rami Shaaban's page
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