Mohamed Elyounoussi


Mohamed Amine Elyounoussi is a professional footballer who plays as a forward or winger for Celtic, on loan from Southampton. He represents Norway at senior international level.

Early life

Elyounoussi was born in Al Hoceima, Morocco. He grew up in Sarpsborg, Norway, where he also started his football career.

Club career

Sarpsborg 08

He made his debut in Tippeligaen when he came on as a sub in Sarpsborg 08's match against Odd Grenland on 8 May 2011.

Molde

On 15 March 2014, Elyounoussi moved to fellow Tippeligaen side Molde FK. During his first season with Molde FK he played in every league match and was the club's top scorer with 13 goals. With the club, Elyounoussi won both Tippeligaen and the Norwegian Cup in his first season, which meant that Molde won the double for the first time in the club's history. He scored four goals in the 2014 Norwegian Cup, of which one was scored in the final against Odd. Elyounoussi scored a total of 17 goals in all competitions in the 2014 season and became Molde's top goalscorer.
In 2015, Elyounoussi scored three goals in the 2015–16 UEFA Europa League, all in the group stage. He scored twice against Celtic and once against Fenerbahçe and helped the team advance to the Round of 16 where they lost 1–3 on aggregate against Sevilla.

Basel

On 6 July 2016, Elyounoussi moved to Swiss Super League side FC Basel on a four-year contract. He made his first team league debut on 24 July in the 3–0 home win against Sion. He scored his first goal for his new club just one week later on 31 July during the away game against Vaduz. It was the third Basler goal of the game and they won 5–1. Elyounoussi scored a hat trick for Basel on 4 February 2017 during the home game against Lugano. These were the first three goals and were scored during the first 36 minutes of the game that Basel won 4–0. Under trainer Urs Fischer, Elyounoussi won the Swiss Super League championship at the end of the 2016–17 season. For the club this was the eighth title in a row and their 20th championship title in total. They also won the Swiss Cup for the twelfth time, which meant they had won the double for the sixth time in the club's history.

Southampton

On 29 June 2018, Elyounoussi was signed by Southampton for a reported fee of £16 million, signing a five-year contract.

Celtic (loan)

On 30 August 2019, Elyounoussi joined Celtic on loan until the end of the season.

International career

In June 2011, Elyounoussi was called up for the Norway U-17 team.
In November 2013, he was called up to the senior Norwegian national team for their January 2014 international matches in Abu Dhabi. He made his debut there against Poland on 18 January 2014, replacing Erik Huseklepp in the 33rd minute of a 3-0 defeat. He scored his first goal for Norway on 13 June 2017 against Sweden. He scored his first hat-trick for Norway on 5 October 2017 against San Marino.

International goals

#DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
1.13 June 2017Ullevaal Stadion, Oslo1–01–1Friendly
2.5 October 2017San Marino Stadium, Serravalle4–08–02018 FIFA World Cup qualification
3.5 October 2017San Marino Stadium, Serravalle5–08–02018 FIFA World Cup qualification
4.5 October 2017San Marino Stadium, Serravalle7–08–02018 FIFA World Cup qualification
5.16 October 2018Ullevaal Stadion, Oslo1–01–02018–19 UEFA Nations League C

Personal life

Elyounoussi is of Moroccan descent, his family immigrated to Norway when he was a child. He was thus eligible to play for the Moroccan national football team but opted for Norway. He is the cousin of Tarik Elyounoussi, who is also a Norwegian international footballer who plays for Japanese side Shonan Bellmare.
Elyounoussi's father owns a pizza parlour in Norway.

Career statistics

Club

International

National teamYearAppsGoals
Norway---
Norway201420
Norway201530
Norway201600
Norway201794
Norway201881
Norway201920
NorwayTotal245

Honours

Molde
Basel
Celtic
Individual