[4] He made his debut for ENPPI in 2013, coming from the youth academy, and quickly established a place for himself in the club's starting line-ups.

In 2020, he joined Al Masry but depated a year later to join newly-promoted side Future (later renamed Modern Future), guiding the team to win the inaugural Egyptian League Cup trophy in 2022, and to qualify for the CAF Confederation Cup in 2023.

[11] Upon returning to Egypt, Refaat was imprisoned for two months at a military barracks, but was able to train with military-backed club Tala'ea El Gaish.

[12] Diab denied refusing to authorise Refaat's travel documents, stating Refaat had clearance to travel to Liberia to play a friendly with Future before moving to the UAE, while government officials reiterated the permits for players departing Egypt who had not yet completed military service is organised by their clubs.

[13] Refaat's legal representatives suggested his unexpected departure from Ghana (as a transit country) instead of Liberia into the UAE meant he was not permitted to travel, while the documents did not cover the length of his loan move.