Stephan El Shaarawy returns to Genoa for Serie A homecoming

Italy and Egypt winger Stephan El Shaarawy has joined Genoa as a free agent, returning to the club where he began his senior career. The 33-year-old left winger completed the move on 2 September 2026 after leaving Roma at the start of July.

El Shaarawy, who was born in Savona, came through Genoa’s youth system and made his first-team breakthrough with the club after joining from Genoa Under-19s in December 2008. He spent the 2010-11 season on loan at Padova before returning to Genoa, where his performances earned him a move to AC Milan in July 2011.

The right-footed attacker then established himself in Italy’s top flight, later representing Roma during two spells. He initially joined Roma on loan from AC Milan in January 2016, with the move becoming permanent in July of that year. El Shaarawy returned to the capital in January 2021 after a period with Chinese club Shanghai Greenland Shenhua.

His latest move brings him back to Serie A and to the club that launched his professional career. El Shaarawy has made 345 appearances in the competition, scoring 73 goals and providing 43 assists. He also has experience in the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League.

The winger was part of Roma’s Conference League-winning side in the 2021-22 season. He also won the Italian Super Cup with AC Milan in 2011-12 and the Chinese Cup with Shanghai Greenland Shenhua in 2018-19.

El Shaarawy’s career has included spells outside Italy as well as a loan move to Monaco in 2015-16. His highest recorded market value was €30m during his time with Shanghai Greenland Shenhua, while his previous transfer to that club from Roma was completed for €16m in July 2019.

Genoa have now added an experienced Serie A attacker whose career began with the club’s academy and has included more than 400 senior appearances across domestic and European competitions. El Shaarawy’s return was completed without a transfer fee after his departure from Roma.