A motley history of Egyptians in the Premier League

Arsenal announced the signing of midfielder Mohamed Elneny from FC Basel on Thursday, with the 23-year-old international becoming the latest of a significant line of Egyptians to ply their trade in the Premier League.

Here's a look at four other Egyptians who experienced varying degrees of success in the English top-flight:

Amr Zaki (Wigan/Hull City)

Now retired, the 32-year-old Zaki had a mercurial spell in England's top-flight. While at Egyptian giants Zamalek, Zaki was twice loaned to Premier League sides, first with Wigan Athletic for the 2008-09 season, then Hull City in 2010.

His tenure with the Latics started well for the £1.5-million season-long loanee, scoring on his debut against West Ham before collecting a brace a fortnight later against Hull. He scored 10 times for Wigan that season before his spell with the club collapsed following his failure to return to the club after a World Cup qualifier.

Then-Wigan gaffer Steve Bruce said, "I am right behind my players representing their countries, it is a tremendous honour for the club. This is not the issue here. My South American players, for instance, have to go much longer distances but I have never had a problem with any of them. In Zaki's case it really defies belief from a player who is on loan and trying to earn himself a long-term contract.

"Zaki's behaviour has shown total disrespect to the club who pay him a very good wage and equally as importantly, to the fans who sing his name from the stands. I think it's time for them to know the truth about the man."

Shortly after Bruce's comments, the Greater Manchester side refused a permanent deal for Zaki, prompting Zamalek's loan move to Hull, where the international featured in a mere six matches for the Tigers.

Ahmed Elmohamady (Sunderland/Hull City)

The first Egyptian player to reach an FA Cup final, Elmohamady has quietly been one of Hull City's most consistent players since joining on loan from Sunderland in 2012.

Elmohamady, 28, played in influential role in the Tigers' two top-flight forays in 2013-14 and 2014-15, starting all 76 of the club's Premier League matches during that period, pairing four goals with seven assists for Steve Bruce's lot.

The Ghazi El Malhalla youth product has twice played for Bruce, including his loan spell with Sunderland in 2010-11 while a member with New Cairo side ENPPI.

The 71-time capped international and two-time African Cup of Nations winner continues to play on Hull's wing with 26 appearances this season for the second-place Tigers. The East Riding of Yorkshire side is looking to return again to top-flight football following an 18th-place finish in 2014-15.

Mohamed Salah (Chelsea)

Among a litany of talented footballers deemed surplus to requirements under Jose Mourinho at Chelsea, Salah joined the Londoners from FC Basel in January 2014.

Salah, 23, who played his youth football at El Mokawloon alongside Elneny, made 10 league appearances for the Blues that season, scoring twice with an assist.

His first full season at Chelsea was put into doubt as fears were he would have to return to Egypt to perform mandatory military service before he was spared by Prime Minister Ibahim Mahlab.

Salah only made three appearances for Chelsea before a February loan to Fiorentina. The pacey winger was a hit with La Viola, pairing six goals with three assists in 16 Serie A matches.

Living out of suitcase, the 39-time capped international was loaned to Roma the following season with an option for a permanent move, with the Eternal City side finalizing the transfer in October.

Finally able to call a club his own, Salah has been one of the Italian top-flight's best wingers this season as I Giallorossi look to bounce back from a slow start that sees Luciano's Spalletti's side sitting fifth, seven points adrift of first-place Napoli.

Mido (Tottenham/Middlesbrough/Wigan/West Ham)

Few players have plied their trades for as many top-flight clubs as towering Egyptian forward Mido. The Zamalek youth product was once one of Europe's most promising attacking talents following bouts in the early 2000's with Gent, Ajax, and Marseille.

Mido's maiden voyage into Premier League football occurred after the 51-time capped international was sent on loan by Roma to Tottenham in 2005. Mido made 48 appearances for Spurs in two seasons with 14 goals before moving to Middlesbrough in 2007 for an underwhelming three-year injury-riddled tenure for the Smoggies that featured two more loan moves to Wigan and back to Zamalek.

Mido's final kick at the Premier League can was a loan move to West Ham in the 2010-11 season, where the now-rotund striker made nine appearances for the Irons without a goal.

Again, it was off to Zamalek for his third spell with the club he would later manage twice, including his current tenure with the White Knights following its Egyptian Premier League conquest a year ago.