Following on from the signing of Jake Robinson, El-Abd becomes the third member of the squad to have played with Hinshelwood at Brighton & Hove Albion, following the arrival of Dean Cox last summer.

El-Abd, 37, spent 11 years with the Seagulls, making just shy of 350 appearances.

In 2012 he was called up to the Egypt National Team, having been born to an Egyptian father, eventually earning seven caps for his country.

After leaving the Albion in 2013 the defender then went on to have spells with Bristol City, Shrewsbury and Wycombe Wanderers and turned out for Stevenage in League Two as recently as 2020.

Since then he’s been combining playing with coaching at Whitehawk, during which time he completed his UEFA A-Licence.

Worthing boss Adam Hinshelwood hopes his experience will compliment the club’s young squad as they embark on their first season in the National League South.

“Adam has a huge amount of experience and is a real leader so he’ll undoubtedly provide our younger players with guidance that will really help them develop”