Hossam Ghaly

Hossam Ghaly () (born December 15, 1981 in Kafr El-Sheikh) is an Egyptian soccer midfielder who currently plays for Tottenham Hotspur F.C. Ghaly plays mainly as a Football (soccer) positions defensive midfielder or a Football (soccer) positions Centre midfield, less frequently as a right full-back and due to injuries even an outside midfielder. He has played 21 international matches for Egypt national football team.

Ghaly is a product of El-Ahly youth team, and he broke into the first team squad in 2001. He played regularly for el-Ahly until he moved to Feyenoord Rotterdam in 2003. After three troublesome seasons in The Netherlands, Ghaly joined Tottenham Hotspur F.C. in January 2006.

Ghaly became a reasonably regular member of the Spurs first team and played some well-regarded games for the club. However, his future at Tottenham was left in doubt after he pulled off his shirt and threw it to the ground after being substituted during a Premier League match against Blackburn Rovers on 10 May 2007. Ghaly had been brought on in the first half after an injury to Steed Malbranque, and rebelled when brought off. The Tottenham fans were left angry at Ghaly's reaction, singing "You're not fit to wear the shirt" and he was disciplined by the club soon after. He issued the following apology: "I am just so angry with myself," Ghaly told the official Spurs site. "I have always considered it an honour to wear the Tottenham shirt and I never intended to show any disrespect".

"I knew things weren't happening for me out there, my play was terrible and I could hear the crowd jeering me. I was so upset at the fans' reaction. I have enjoyed playing in front of the club's supporters all season and I felt I had given of my best all the time and played some decent football. It is always hard to accept being substituted after such a short period of time and I was upset and taken aback by the cheering. I am a player who plays with my heart".

"I know my reaction was totally wrong. I have apologised to the manager and I also want to apologise to the fans. I hope they don't judge me on this incident alone. I have tried hard for the club this season".

Nonetheless, he was not to play for the club again. He stated that he wished to leave Tottenham due to his frustration at being unable to play in central midfield.

He was set to move to Birmingham City F.C. for a fee of pound sterling3 million on July 30, 2007 (subject to work permit), signing a three-year contract with an option for two further years., however, on August 3rd, Birmingham announced they would not be completing the deal due to Ghaly's objections to Birmingham's training methods, as well as badmouthing Birmingham's players.