Ahli opted to leave the 27-year-old out of their squad for the new season to make room for new signing Mohamed Ghaddar, who will complete the three slots available for foreign players.

"The club will honor Gilberto tomorrow for the huge efforts he exerted to help the football team win many titles," Ahli said in a statement on their official website.

"He set an example to follow in terms of discipline and footballing abilities."

Gilberto, who joined Ahli from Angolan side Petro Atletico in 2002, is widely regarded as one of the finest foreigners to play in the Egyptian Premier League.

Key Player

Gilberto established himself as a key player on the left side of Ahli's midfield and his neat penetrations and inch-perfect crosses heavily benefited the Red Devils during their highly-successful run in local and continental competitions.

However, a string of injuries and the arrival of Egyptian international left-back Sayed Moawad in the summer of 2008 limited his first-team opportunities and eventually led to his exit.

He was confined to the bench last season after his form faded to fuel speculation over his future, with some reports linking him with a shocking move to Ahli's arch-rivals Zamalek.

But the Angolan international insisted he would never move to Zamalek.

"Gilberto wanted to depart and play in a fellow Arab country to feel more financially secure," Ahli added.

"Some Arab clubs have already expressed an interest in signing him this summer."