Cairo: Hani Kamal El-Din
Egyptian footballer Mohamed Arou has officially signed with Swiss side FC Sion on an 18-month loan deal from UAE’s Al Wasl Club. The versatile midfielder is expected to join the Swiss outfit during their summer preparations for the upcoming season.
Arou will don the number 11 jersey at Sion, a number traditionally worn by creative, attack-minded midfielders operating on the left side of the pitch. His role will likely position him as a left-sided attacking midfielder, responsible for providing offensive support along the flank and linking up with the team’s left-back, who wears number 3.
This move comes nearly a year after an earlier attempt to join FC Sion fell through due to a long-term injury Arou sustained. Following a full recovery and a rigorous rehabilitation program, the Swiss club renewed their interest in the player, seeking his experience and flair in the playmaker role to strengthen their attacking options.
Mohamed Arou boasts a rich and varied footballing journey that began in Egypt with Ismaily SC. He later featured for Al Masry and Petrojet before taking his talents abroad. His international club career includes stints with Erbil SC in Iraq and multiple clubs in the UAE, including Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah, and most recently, Al Wasl. On the international stage, Arou has represented Egypt across multiple youth categories.
Arou’s move continues a longstanding tradition of Egyptian talent making its mark in Swiss football. In the early 1990s, Hani Ramzy and the Hassan twins — Hossam and Ibrahim — played for Neuchâtel Xamax following their 1990 FIFA World Cup appearance with Egypt. More recently, legendary Egyptian goalkeeper Essam El-Hadary joined FC Sion after Egypt’s 2008 Africa Cup of Nations triumph.
Swiss football also served as the launchpad for global Egyptian stars Mohamed Salah and Mohamed Elneny, both of whom played for FC Basel. Later, Omar Gaber followed in their footsteps by joining Basel as well.
With Arou’s signing, FC Sion not only gains a seasoned midfielder with international experience but also reinforces the growing legacy of Egyptian players contributing to the Swiss Super League’s diversity and competitiveness.
