Owu to move from Egypt

Black Stars goalkeeper George Owu cannot extend his stay at Egyptian side Al Masry when his current contract ends because of a new Egypt Football Association directive preventing clubs from from signing foreign goalkeepers starting next season.

The EFA took that stance to help Egypt coach Hassan Shehata find new keepers in the Egyptian league after the majority of mid-table and lowly teams favoured foreign ones during the past few years.

Owu joined Al Masry from AshantiGold in 2007 and has been the first choice goalkeeper for the Port Said-based side.

The 27-year-old was between the sticks for Ghana at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens,Greece and was third choice at the 2006 World Cup in Germany.

"We will allow the current foreign keepers in the Egyptian league to see out their contracts but they will not be able to extend them," the EFA said in a statement on their website.

"Clubs will not be able to sign any new foreign keepers. The decision will take effect from the 2009/2010 season."

Shehata was widely criticized for failing to call up a replacement for veteran guardian Essam Al-Hadari, who could be suspended after joining Swiss side Sion without the consent of his former club Ahli in February 2008.