"I was approached by Lokomotiv via the agent who was involved in Amr Zaki's move to the Russian club last season," Hamza told Filgoal.com on Saturday.

Zaki's move to Lokomotiv in March 2006 lasted for just three months after the current Zamalek striker failed to settle with the Russian lifestyle.

However, Hamza welcomed the offer hoping that he could be given the green light by Zamalek officials as he remains under contract at the club until 2009.

"I think this is a good chance to breeze into European football, and I hope that Zamalek would permit the move,"

"Playing in the Russian league could be the breakthrough into major European clubs who have more eyes in Russia than in the Egyptian league."

The 26-year-old Hamza scored six times for Zamalek this season despite not being considered a regular in Henri Michel's starting line-up.