Grasshopper Club Zurich have completed the signing of Senegalese centre-back Mouhamed El Bachir Ngom from Latvian side Riga FC on a permanent deal, in a transfer worth €600,000. The defender joins the Swiss Super League club with a market value of €700,000 and moves straight into the Grasshoppers squad as their new No. 20.
Ngom’s contract with Grasshoppers runs from 2026-02-05 to 2029-06-30, giving the Zurich side long-term security over a player whose value has risen steadily in recent seasons. The deal ends his spell at Riga, where he had become one of the Latvian Virsliga’s more valuable defensive assets, and confirms his next step in European football.
Born in Dakar, the 25-year-old stands at 1.83m and plays primarily as a right-footed centre-back. He arrives in Switzerland after several years in the Latvian top flight, having first moved to Europe from Senegalese club Diambars de Saly FC. His European journey began with FK Auda before an internal move within Latvia took him to Riga FC, from where Grasshoppers have now secured his services.
Ngom’s transfer caps a notable rise in his valuation. At FK Auda, his market worth was listed at €150,000, and it climbed steadily at Riga, reaching €700,000 by late 2025. That progression is reflected in the €600,000 fee Grasshoppers have paid, positioning him as a significant defensive investment for a club operating in a competitive Super League environment.
The Senegalese defender brings experience from multiple clubs and leagues despite his relatively young age. After emerging from his “Own Youth” ranks and then breaking through at Diambars in Senegal, he moved to FK Auda in 2022, before joining Riga FC later that same year. His performances in Latvia, coupled with his growing market value, helped attract attention from abroad and have now resulted in a confirmed move to Switzerland.
At Grasshoppers, Ngom will be expected to add depth and stability in central defence, with his profile suggesting a blend of physical presence and mobility suited to the demands of the Swiss top flight. His move also underscores the pathway from Senegalese academies, such as Diambars, through smaller European leagues into more prominent competitions.
While his contract in Zurich runs to 2029-06-30, its length also means his future market value, and the possibility of a later move or eventual free agency, will be closely watched. For now, though, Ngom’s focus shifts fully to Grasshoppers and establishing himself in the Super League, a stage that could further elevate his reputation and open additional doors in European football over the coming years.
