Manchester City has officially signed Egyptian forward Omar Marmoush from Eintracht Frankfurt, marking their third acquisition in the January transfer window. The Premier League club announced the signing on Thursday, revealing a transfer fee of approximately $72.6 million with potential add-ons reaching $5 million. Marmoush, who expressed his enthusiasm about joining one of the top teams in the world, stated, "This is a day I will never forget."
Marmoush's journey to Manchester City began in Cairo, where he was born in 1999. He quickly made a name for himself at the academy of Wadi Degla in the Egyptian Premier League. At just 17, he was promoted to the first team, and a year later, he advanced to Wolfsburg's reserves. However, his early career faced challenges as he struggled for consistency and game time, leading to loan spells at St Pauli and Stuttgart.
The 24-year-old forward made a significant impact during his time at Eintracht Frankfurt, scoring 12 goals in 29 league games after moving there on a free transfer before the 2023-2024 season. Manchester City's director of football, Txiki Begiristain, praised Marmoush as "an accomplished and exciting forward," emphasizing his influence on matches and his outstanding attributes.
“He’s had an outstanding season, and every time we have watched him, he has influenced matches,” – Txiki Begiristain
“He has all the attributes a top-class attacker requires. He has outstanding pace and awareness, and he is exceptional in front of goal. He can also play a number of different positions, which is a really valuable asset.” – Txiki Begiristain
Marmoush's move to Manchester City comes at a crucial time for the club. They are currently fifth in the Premier League standings, trailing leaders Liverpool by 12 points despite having played one more game. His signing aims to bolster the team's attacking prowess as they navigate a challenging season.
Despite his rapid rise in European football, comparisons to other Egyptian stars, notably Mohamed Salah, have been dismissed by Salah himself.
“Do not compare him to me. Do not say the ‘new Mohamed Salah’. Let him live his career. Comparing a player at the beginning of his career with another who has achieved a lot over many years does not help him.” – Mohamed Salah
Marmoush is eager to make his mark at Manchester City and looks forward to working under Pep Guardiola and his technical staff.
“With Pep, his technical staff and the world-class facilities here, players have everything they need to improve. That was really enticing for me when I had the chance to come here.” – Omar Marmoush
