Mohamed Elyounoussi the new No.10 at F.C. Copenhagen
F.C. Copenhagen have signed Norway international Mohamed Elyounoussi until the summer of 2027.
The 28-year-old forward most recently played at Southampton FC in the Premier League and moves to FCK on a free transfer.
Elyounoussi made his breakthrough in Norway for Sarpsborg and then Molde, before being sold to FC Basel. There he was very successful and was named Player of the Year in the Swiss top flight.
In 2018, Premier League club Southampton bought him, and in 2019 he was loaned to Celtic FC for two seasons until the summer of 2021. Here, after a few strong campaigns, Elyounoussi was called back to Southampton, where he has played in the Premier League over the past two seasons.
Now he is set to continue his career at F.C. Copenhagen.
"Mohamed fits perfectly into our strategy of having a squad with top players and great young talents," says FCK sporting director Peter Christiansen.
"He is a big Scandinavian name who has extensive experience from the Premier League, the Norway national team and European football. We are delighted that he will be part of FCK and the ambitions we have for our club.
"We have had several positive conversations with him, where he has shown that he is not just a skilled footballer, but also a very likeable and dedicated personality.
"We expect him to be a significant player for us and help give our young talents a strong character to lean on in their development."
Elyounoussi played 90 games, scored nine goals and provided six assists for Southampton, while he made 67 appearances and bagged 24 goals and 14 assists for Celtic. He has 52 caps for Norway and has scored nine goals for his country to date.
'Class player with enormous experience'
"In Moi we get a class player with enormous experience," says FCK head coach Jacob Neestrup.
"He has won titles at several different clubs, and he comes to Copenhagen hungry for more. We have been thorough in our research, and all references have been positive.
"Our conversations with Moi have only confirmed to us that we are not only getting a skilled footballer, but also a very strong character.
"Moi has a high work ethic and great running power, and he can contribute really well in our first press. Furthermore, he is a strong team player, both centrally and on the flanks, and we feel absolutely sure that he will raise our level and, at the same time, sharpen the competition in all our offensive positions."
Elyounoussi himself is looking forward to becoming an F.C. Copenhagener after a number of years in Swiss, Scottish and English football.
"I am convinced that the switch to F.C. Copenhagen is right for me," says Elyounoussi.
"I have had some really good meetings with PC and Neestrup, who have told me about the club, about the team and about the great ambitions that are here at FCK.
"At the same time, as a Scandinavian, you always follow developments here and I have seen that Parken is a fantastic place to play football, and that the club is constantly looking to raise itself to play with the best.
"It's very motivating and I'm looking forward to being a part of it."
Elyounoussi will wear short No.10 at FCK this season. Everyone at the club would like to welcome Mohamed to the club and the city.
Mohamed Elyounoussi
Born: 4 August 1994
Former clubs: Sarpsborg 08, Molde, FC Basel, Southampton FC, Celtic FC
International matches: 52 caps for Norway (9 goals)
Titles: League champion and cup winner with Molde FK, FC Basel, Celtic FC.