# Ahmed Elmohamady

**Ahmed Elmohamady** (أحمد المحمدي; full name Ahmed Eissa El Muhammadi Abdul Fattah; born 1987) is an Egyptian former professional footballer who played as a right back and wing-back, spending eleven seasons in English football with [Sunderland](https://www.edgepedia.org/sunderland), Hull City, and Aston Villa and winning the [Africa Cup of Nations](https://www.edgepedia.org/africa-cup-of-nations) twice with Egypt.<sup>[1](https://www.11v11.com/players/ahmed-elmohamady-225252/)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[2](https://efa.eg/ar/%D8%B1%D9%85%D9%88%D8%B2-%D9%85%D9%86-%D8%AA%D8%A7%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%AE-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%83%D8%B1%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%B5%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A9/%D8%A3%D8%AD%D9%85%D8%AF-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%AD%D9%85%D8%AF%D9%8A/)</sup> Known throughout his career as "Elmo", he made 197 Premier League appearances, scoring 6 goals with 13 assists.<sup>[3](https://www.premierleague.com/en/players/37339/ahmed-el-mohamady/career)</sup>

| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Born | 1987, El-Mahalla El-Kubra, Egypt; full name Ahmed Eissa El Muhammadi Abdul Fattah<sup>[1](https://www.11v11.com/players/ahmed-elmohamady-225252/)</sup> |
| Position | Defender/midfielder, mainly attacking right back or wing-back; 1.78 m, right-footed<sup>[1](https://www.11v11.com/players/ahmed-elmohamady-225252/)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[4](https://www.fotmob.com/players/111930/ahmed-elmohamady)</sup> |
| English clubs | Sunderland (2010–2013), Hull City (2012–2017), Aston Villa (2017–2021)<sup>[1](https://www.11v11.com/players/ahmed-elmohamady-225252/)</sup> |
| Premier League record | 197 appearances, 6 goals, 13 assists<sup>[3](https://www.premierleague.com/en/players/37339/ahmed-el-mohamady/career)</sup> |
| Egypt record | 92 caps (4 not officially recognized), 6 goals, 2007–2019<sup>[2](https://efa.eg/ar/%D8%B1%D9%85%D9%88%D8%B2-%D9%85%D9%86-%D8%AA%D8%A7%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%AE-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%83%D8%B1%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%B5%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A9/%D8%A3%D8%AD%D9%85%D8%AF-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%AD%D9%85%D8%AF%D9%8A/)</sup> |
| Major honors | Africa Cup of Nations winner 2008 and 2010; runner-up 2017; 2018 FIFA World Cup squad<sup>[2](https://efa.eg/ar/%D8%B1%D9%85%D9%88%D8%B2-%D9%85%D9%86-%D8%AA%D8%A7%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%AE-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%83%D8%B1%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%B5%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A9/%D8%A3%D8%AD%D9%85%D8%AF-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%AD%D9%85%D8%AF%D9%8A/)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[5](https://www.fifadata.com/document/fwc/2018/pdf/FWC_2018_SQUADLISTS.pdf)</sup> |
| Individual award | Hull City player of the season, 2012–13<sup>[2](https://efa.eg/ar/%D8%B1%D9%85%D9%88%D8%B2-%D9%85%D9%86-%D8%AA%D8%A7%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%AE-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%83%D8%B1%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%B5%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A9/%D8%A3%D8%AD%D9%85%D8%AF-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%AD%D9%85%D8%AF%D9%8A/)</sup> |

## Early career in Egypt

Elmohamady began his senior career with Ghazl El-Mahalla in 2004 and moved to ENPPI in 2006, where he played until 2011.<sup>[1](https://www.11v11.com/players/ahmed-elmohamady-225252/)</sup> The Egyptian Football Association's profile records his birthplace as the village of Shabrato in the city of Basyoun, Gharbia Governorate, in the [Nile Delta](https://www.edgepedia.org/nile-delta).<sup>[2](https://efa.eg/ar/%D8%B1%D9%85%D9%88%D8%B2-%D9%85%D9%86-%D8%AA%D8%A7%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%AE-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%83%D8%B1%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%B5%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A9/%D8%A3%D8%AD%D9%85%D8%AF-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%AD%D9%85%D8%AF%D9%8A/)</sup>

## Move to England: Sunderland and Hull City

**Sunderland.** Elmohamady's first professional experience in England came in 2010, on loan from ENPPI to Sunderland, and he joined the club permanently in June 2011 on a three-year contract for a fee of £2.0 million.<sup>[1](https://www.11v11.com/players/ahmed-elmohamady-225252/)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[6](https://www.skysports.com/football/player/73024/ahmed-elmohamady)</sup> He made 36 league appearances in his first Sunderland season and 18 (11 as a substitute) in his second.<sup>[3](https://www.premierleague.com/en/players/37339/ahmed-el-mohamady/career)</sup> In early 2012, under new manager [Martin O'Neill](https://www.edgepedia.org/martin-oneill), he described himself as patiently waiting for a regular chance, noting that O'Neill had said from the start that every player would get one.<sup>[7](https://english.ahram.org.eg/UI/Front/Inner.aspx?NewsContentID=32192)</sup>

**Hull City.** In August 2012 he moved to Hull City of the Championship on a season-long loan, rejoining his former Sunderland manager [Steve Bruce](https://www.edgepedia.org/steve-bruce).<sup>[1](https://www.11v11.com/players/ahmed-elmohamady-225252/)</sup> Hull won promotion to the Premier League in second place that season, and Elmohamady was named the club's player of the season.<sup>[8](https://www.the-independent.com/news/people/profiles/ahmed-elmohamady-elmo-happy-he-chose-to-go-to-hull-city-and-back-8760277.html)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[2](https://efa.eg/ar/%D8%B1%D9%85%D9%88%D8%B2-%D9%85%D9%86-%D8%AA%D8%A7%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%AE-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%83%D8%B1%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%B5%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A9/%D8%A3%D8%AD%D9%85%D8%AF-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%AD%D9%85%D8%AF%D9%8A/)</sup> He said he had initially seen dropping from the Premier League to the Championship as a risk, but took Bruce's advice that playing regular football would show both English clubs and the national team manager what he could do.<sup>[8](https://www.the-independent.com/news/people/profiles/ahmed-elmohamady-elmo-happy-he-chose-to-go-to-hull-city-and-back-8760277.html)</sup> He signed permanently in June 2013 for £2.0 million, and his contract was extended to June 2019 in June 2016.<sup>[1](https://www.11v11.com/players/ahmed-elmohamady-225252/)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[6](https://www.skysports.com/football/player/73024/ahmed-elmohamady)</sup> Across his Hull spell from 2012 to 2017 the Egyptian FA counts 217 matches, 12 goals, and 18 assists.<sup>[2](https://efa.eg/ar/%D8%B1%D9%85%D9%88%D8%B2-%D9%85%D9%86-%D8%AA%D8%A7%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%AE-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%83%D8%B1%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%B5%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A9/%D8%A3%D8%AD%D9%85%D8%AF-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%AD%D9%85%D8%AF%D9%8A/)</sup> His Premier League seasons with Hull included 38 appearances in each of 2013–14 and 2014–15, with 2 goals and 5 assists in the latter.<sup>[3](https://www.premierleague.com/en/players/37339/ahmed-el-mohamady/career)</sup>

## Aston Villa

Elmohamady joined Aston Villa in July 2017 on a three-year contract for an undisclosed fee, again under Steve Bruce, and the contract was extended to June 2021 in August 2019.<sup>[1](https://www.11v11.com/players/ahmed-elmohamady-225252/)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[6](https://www.skysports.com/football/player/73024/ahmed-elmohamady)</sup> The Egyptian FA credits him with 4 goals and 17 assists in 129 Villa matches between 2017 and 2021.<sup>[2](https://efa.eg/ar/%D8%B1%D9%85%D9%88%D8%B2-%D9%85%D9%86-%D8%AA%D8%A7%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%AE-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%83%D8%B1%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%B5%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A9/%D8%A3%D8%AD%D9%85%D8%AF-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%AD%D9%85%D8%AF%D9%8A/)</sup> Villa confirmed in May 2021 that he, [Tom Heaton](https://www.edgepedia.org/tom-heaton), and [Neil Taylor](https://www.edgepedia.org/neil-taylor-footballer) would leave that summer as their contracts expired.<sup>[6](https://www.skysports.com/football/player/73024/ahmed-elmohamady)</sup>

## International career with Egypt

Elmohamady won 92 caps for Egypt between 2007 and 2019, four of which the Egyptian FA does not officially recognize, and scored 6 goals.<sup>[2](https://efa.eg/ar/%D8%B1%D9%85%D9%88%D8%B2-%D9%85%D9%86-%D8%AA%D8%A7%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%AE-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%83%D8%B1%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%B5%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A9/%D8%A3%D8%AD%D9%85%D8%AF-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%AD%D9%85%D8%AF%D9%8A/)</sup> He was part of the squads that won the Africa Cup of Nations in 2008 in Ghana and 2010 in Angola; in the 2008 tournament he scored against Benin in the group stage and was named in the team of the tournament.<sup>[2](https://efa.eg/ar/%D8%B1%D9%85%D9%88%D8%B2-%D9%85%D9%86-%D8%AA%D8%A7%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%AE-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%83%D8%B1%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%B5%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A9/%D8%A3%D8%AD%D9%85%D8%AF-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%AD%D9%85%D8%AF%D9%8A/)</sup> He called the 4–0 semi-final defeat of Algeria at the 2010 tournament the best game of his life.<sup>[8](https://www.the-independent.com/news/people/profiles/ahmed-elmohamady-elmo-happy-he-chose-to-go-to-hull-city-and-back-8760277.html)</sup>

Egypt failed to qualify for three successive editions of the tournament after 2010, and Elmohamady returned at the 2017 edition in Gabon after a seven-year gap between appearances, reaching the final, which Egypt lost to Cameroon.<sup>[9](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/feb/01/afcon-2017-ahmed-elmohamady-egypt-burkina-faso-semi-final-hull-city)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[2](https://efa.eg/ar/%D8%B1%D9%85%D9%88%D8%B2-%D9%85%D9%86-%D8%AA%D8%A7%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%AE-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%83%D8%B1%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%B5%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A9/%D8%A3%D8%AD%D9%85%D8%AF-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%AD%D9%85%D8%AF%D9%8A/)</sup> Under coach [Héctor Cúper](https://www.edgepedia.org/hector-cuper) he described the team's compact defensive block and quick counterattacks led by [Mohamed Salah](https://www.edgepedia.org/mohamed-salah) and Ahmed Trezeguet as defensive-minded but effective.<sup>[9](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/feb/01/afcon-2017-ahmed-elmohamady-egypt-burkina-faso-semi-final-hull-city)</sup>

At the 2018 [FIFA World Cup](https://www.edgepedia.org/fifa-world-cup) in Russia, Egypt's first since 1990, Elmohamady was registered as a defender with shirt name ELMOHAMADY, club Aston Villa, and listed height 183 cm.<sup>[5](https://www.fifadata.com/document/fwc/2018/pdf/FWC_2018_SQUADLISTS.pdf)</sup>

## Style of play

Elmohamady played as an attacking right back or wing-back, joining Hull in 2012 and, in the words of one retrospective, immediately slipping into the attacking right back position, rampaging down the right side of the pitch.<sup>[10](https://www.oncloudseven.com/969-ahmed-elmohamady/)</sup> The nutmeg was described as a longstanding signature move of his.<sup>[9](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/feb/01/afcon-2017-ahmed-elmohamady-egypt-burkina-faso-semi-final-hull-city)</sup> In 2018, as an Egypt teammate, he publicly cautioned against comparing Mohamed Salah to [Cristiano Ronaldo](https://www.edgepedia.org/cristiano-ronaldo) and [Lionel Messi](https://www.edgepedia.org/lionel-messi), saying Salah would need to sustain his level for seven or eight years to reach theirs, while calling him one of the best players in the world.<sup>[11](https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/mohamed-salah-liverpool-cristiano-ronaldo-lionel-messi-ahmed-elmohamady-a8330981.html)</sup>

## After retirement

After retiring, Elmohamady became a football pundit for beIN Sports and worked in an ambassadorial role for Aston Villa before taking up a full-time position in the club's commercial team.<sup>[10](https://www.oncloudseven.com/969-ahmed-elmohamady/)</sup>

A different Egyptian defender, Baher Elmohamady (born 1996), plays for Al-Masry and should not be confused with him.<sup>[12](https://database.footballmanagerblog.org/fm26/players/13229558-baher-elmohamady)</sup>

## References

1. [Ahmed Elmohamady Football Player Statistics, 11v11.com](https://www.11v11.com/players/ahmed-elmohamady-225252/)
2. [أحمد المحمدي, الاتحاد المصري لكرة القدم (Egyptian Football Association)](https://efa.eg/ar/%D8%B1%D9%85%D9%88%D8%B2-%D9%85%D9%86-%D8%AA%D8%A7%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%AE-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%83%D8%B1%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%B5%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A9/%D8%A3%D8%AD%D9%85%D8%AF-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%AD%D9%85%D8%AF%D9%8A/)
3. [Ahmed El Mohamady, Profile & Stats, Premier League](https://www.premierleague.com/en/players/37339/ahmed-el-mohamady/career)
4. [ahmed el mohamady - stats, career and market value](https://www.fotmob.com/players/111930/ahmed-elmohamady)
5. [FIFA World Cup Russia 2018 squad lists](https://www.fifadata.com/document/fwc/2018/pdf/FWC_2018_SQUADLISTS.pdf)
6. [Ahmed Elmohamady, Player Profile, Sky Sports](https://www.skysports.com/football/player/73024/ahmed-elmohamady)
7. [Interview: Sunderland's Elmohamady patiently awaiting his chance under O'Neill, Ahram Online](https://english.ahram.org.eg/UI/Front/Inner.aspx?NewsContentID=32192)
8. [Ahmed Elmohamady: 'Elmo' happy he chose to go to Hull City and back, The Independent (2013)](https://www.the-independent.com/news/people/profiles/ahmed-elmohamady-elmo-happy-he-chose-to-go-to-hull-city-and-back-8760277.html)
9. [Egypt's Ahmed Elmohamady: 'After all that's happened, fans want to celebrate', The Guardian (2017)](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/feb/01/afcon-2017-ahmed-elmohamady-egypt-burkina-faso-semi-final-hull-city)
10. [969 Ahmed Elmohamady, On Cloud Seven](https://www.oncloudseven.com/969-ahmed-elmohamady/)
11. [Mohamed Salah 'has long way to go' to match Ronaldo and Messi, says Egypt teammate Ahmed Elmohamady, The Independent (2018)](https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/mohamed-salah-liverpool-cristiano-ronaldo-lionel-messi-ahmed-elmohamady-a8330981.html)
12. [Baher Elmohamady, FM26 Player Profile, FM Blog Database](https://database.footballmanagerblog.org/fm26/players/13229558-baher-elmohamady)

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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Sports, games, and recreation › Association football › Football people and teams › People › Men's footballers of Africa › Maghreb footballers*

*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Oct 21, 2026 · Edited: Oct 12, 2026; Oct 15, 2026; Oct 21, 2026 · Last review: Oct 21, 2026*

*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*

License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license