Record

Entry Type	Person
Surname	Abdullah
Forenames	Tewfik
Also Known As	Toothpick
Epithet	First foreign signing at Derby County Football Club.
Dates	b.1897
History	Tewfik ‘Toothpick’ Abdullah who played for Cowdenbeath in 1920. Born in Cairo, he grew up playing barefoot football. Tewfik moved to Derby County, aged 23, in 1920, probably as a result of knowing the club’s Scottish full-back, Tommy Barbour, who had served in Egypt, where Tewfik had played against the British Army during the First World War. Abdallah was not only the first foreign player to join Derby County , but also , one of the first overseas signings ever to play in the English Football League. He was the subject of numerous jibes about his trademark chewing which earned him the nickname ‘Toothpick’. Tewfik was an inside-right, and made his Derby debut at home to Manchester City in October 1920. Derby won the game 3–0, with Tewfik scoring. It was first of 15 appearances for Derby but his first and only goal
Authorised Form of Name	Abdullah; Tewfik (b.1897); First foreign signing at Derby County Football Club.

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