Former Egypt captain Ahmed Elmohamady has confirmed his exit from Aston Villa following the expiry of his contract.
Elmohamady joined the Claret & Blue Army in 2017 to reunite with his former Hull City coach Steve Bruce, and he played a key role in their promotion to the Premier League in the 2018-19 season.
The right-back also featured in the League Cup final against Manchester City in 2020 and in total, he made 129 appearances for Aston Villa in all competitions with four goals to his name.
Elmohamady played 14 matches in the just-concluded Premier League campaign as Dean Smith's side finished 11th in the league table.
— Ahmed Elmohamady (@Elmo_27) May 28, 2021
“I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to everyone involved with Villa. It was an honour to have played here. I’ve had four great years and have enjoyed the highs and lows,” Elmohamady tweeted.
“I am leaving knowing that I played my part in putting the club back where it belongs. The squad here is awesome and I know it will only get better with the vision and guidance of the owners.”
“A big thank you to the manager, coaching staff and all at Bodymoor Heath! But a special thank you to you, the supporters. You’ve been massively missed this season through the pandemic but will hopefully be back next season to cheer the lads on.”
“I have been given the opportunity to maybe come back here in a coaching capacity but that is for another day. Until then, UTV!”
Since he left Egyptian club ENPPI in 2010, Elmohamady's playing career has dominantly been in England having previously played under Bruce at Sunderland and Hull City.
It is unsure if the 33-year-old will continue his career in England following his departure from Villa Park.
Elmohamady was the captain of the Egypt national team until April 2021, when he was succeeded by Liverpool talisman Mohamed Salah.
He has played 92 games for the Pharaohs with six goals scored since he made his international debut in an international friendly encounter against the Ivory Coast in 2007.