Aly Ghazal

An Egyptian international, central midfielder/centre back Aly Ghazal joined Whitecaps FC in August 2017 from Chinese Super League side Guizhou Zhicheng after having spent most of his professional career in Portugal.

MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER
2017: Ghazal started all seven of his regular season appearances after joining Whitecaps FC on August 10. In addition, he played every minute of the 'Caps three matches in the MLS Cup Playoffs.

PORTUGAL
2013-17: Prior to joining MLS, Ghazal had spent most of his career with Portuguese Primeira Liga side C.D. Nacional, playing five seasons from 2012 until 2017. He started 102 of his 107 appearances in the Primeira Liga, while adding one goal. In 2016, Ghazal became the first Egyptian player to become a permanent captain of a European football team.  Ghazal also had 14 combined starts and appearances in Taça da Liga and Taça de Portugal competition. He was a member of the Nacional side that reached the semifinal of the Taça de Portugal in 2015, bowing to eventual champions Sporting CP. He also made two starts and appearances in the UEFA Europa League, scoring a goal against FC Dinamo Minsk in August 2014.

CHINA
Ghazal was transferred to Guizhou Zhicheng FC in January 2017, but did not make an appearance for the Chinese Super League club due to the foreign player quota.

INTERNATIONAL
As of July 2017, Ghazal has five senior appearances for his national team, including some time under then national team head coach, and current LAFC head coach Bob Bradley.

YOUTH
Ghazal developed with Cairo-based clubs El Sekka El Hadid SC in 2000-06, and Wadi Degla SC from 2006-13.