Football

Somali footballers making their mark in football abroad

Abdi Salim Muya. Photo courtesy Orlando City

By Rama Mohammed | Wednesday, May 22, 2024

There are various professional footballers of Somalian descent plying their trade in Europe and the USA

There has been an influx of Somali athletes playing professional football abroad. Here’s a profile of some of them.

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Abdi Salim Muya – Defender at Orlando City, USA

Abdi Salim’s family immigrated to the USA in 2003 from Dagahaley Refugee Camp in Daadad, Kenya. His elder brother, Saleman Salim, is also a footballer. They started playing street football with their cousins in Buffalo, New York around 2006. Abdi joined Delaware Soccer Club in 2013, later played for Buffalo State University and Syracuse University, where he won Rookie of the Year. He was picked by Orlando City during the 2023 MLS SuperDraft.

Yonis Abdizirak Farah – Defender at Kingstonian FC, UK

Yonis Abdirizak Farah, born on September 4, 1999, is a talented left back currently featuring for Kingstonian in the Isthmian League Premier Division. Though born in England, he represents the Somalia national team. Farah began his career with Southend United's youth team, playing for Norway's Trysil FK, and Sweden's Ytterhogdals and Eskilstuna City. He returned to England with Banbury United, later joining Kingstonian in March 2024. He debuted for Somalia in a historic 1-0 win over Zimbabwe in 2019.

Mukhtar Suleiman – Forward at SV Spakenburg, Netherlands

Mukhtar Suleiman, born on October 10, 1998, is a forward for SV Spakenburg in the Tweede Divisie and a player for the Somalia national football team. He began his club career in the Netherlands, scoring fifteen goals for Hollandia before transferring to Oostzaan. In March 2022, Suleiman was called up to the Somalia national team, scoring in a friendly against Tanzanian club Azam.

Fahad Mohamed – Midfielder at EIF, Finland

Fahad Fussad Mohamed, born on March 21, 2000, is a midfielder for Finnish club EIF and a Somalia international. He started his career with Finnish side Atlantis FC and later signed with AB in the Faroe Islands before moving to Finland.

Mubaarak Mohamud Nuh – Left Winger at BK Olympic in Sweden

The 22-year-old midfielder recently re-joined Swedish second-tier side BK Olympic from top-tier Malmo FF. Born in Jilib, Somalia, Mubaarak has been capped several times with the Somalia national team, the Ocean Stars.

Ismail Laban – Midfielder at Altona Magic in Australia

Ismail Liban Haji Mohamed, born on June 29, 2001, is a midfielder for Altona Magic and the Somalia national team. In 2021, Liban had brief stints with Bayswater City and Floreat Athena before signing with Cockburn City. He made his international debut for Somalia on June 15, 2021, in a friendly against Djibouti.