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The Palestine Football Association announced on Saturday night the successful nationality switch of Moustafa Zeidan and Omar Faraj.
The arrival of the former was widely expected after Football Palestine broke the news in March. While it was widely understood that Omar Faraj was contacted it came as something as a surprise that the forward agreed to switch.
Faraj’s career has been in the ascendancy since he burst onto the scene in 2019 with Brommapojkarna. A solid first season as a professional in the Swedish third tier saw him register four goals and two assists. As an 18 year old the following season, Faraj scored nine times in 13 games which prompted La Liga side Levante to sign him to a five year contract.
Assigned to the team’s reserve side in the Spanish fourth division, Faraj finished his first season as Levante’s top scorer with seven goals. As a reward for his efforts he was given his La Liga debut in June 2022.
In search for playing time in a European topflight, Faraj came back home to Sweden finishing the 2022 season on loan to Degerfors IF. Four goals in 16 appearances helped the team avoid relegation and convinced AIK to pay Levante 600,000 Euros for his services.
The investment has turned out to be a successful one for both parties as Faraj’s form has seen him get a call up to Sweden’s B-team and captain the Swedish U21 team.
So far this season he has contributed two goals and two assists across all competitions. A complete striker, Faraj has show the ability to play in a deeper role this season in the service of his Cypriot teammate Ioannis Pittas. That versatility has alerted several Eredivisie sides to his talent and there is a high likelihood that FC Twente or Sparta Rotterdam could buy him once the summer transfer window opens.
A debut with Palestine might have to wait a little while longer as it was just revealed that Faraj is struggling with a groin strain that could keep him out for the following three to four weeks.
Faraj’s addition is a boon to Palestine who now have a wealth of attacking options at their disposal. Mahmoud Wadi and Saleh Chiahdeh (both b. 1994) were the veterans of the group at this time last year but the Qunbar Bros. (b. 1997 and 2003) have played well in their absence. Al-Ahly striker Wessam Abou Ali (b. 1999) further deepens the depth at the position as Palestine gear up for a run in 2026 World Cup qualification and the 2027 AFC Asian Cup.
