Born in Cairo shortly before the turn of the millennium, Omar Marmoush realised early on that the boy from the city of millions was no ordinary footballer.
His journey began in the youth teams of Wadi Degla - a club that may not be one of the country's biggest names in the professional game, but whose youngsters enjoy an excellent reputation thanks to partnerships with Arsenal and other European clubs. It was there that Marmoush made his professional debut in 2016 - at the age of just 17.
But the young Marmoush had bigger dreams, which led him abroad in 2017. He found his first home in European football in the regional league at VfL Wolfsburg.
He quickly developed into a solid goalscorer in the team from Lower Saxony before finally making his debut in the Bundesliga in 2020. In order to gain match practice, he was first loaned out to St. Pauli and later to VfB Stuttgart.
These years moulded him: Marmoush became faster, stronger and, above all, more ruthless in front of goal. But let's be honest, what observer of German football would have believed him capable of this meteoric development?
Wolfsburg were unable to agree on a contract extension, so Marmoush moved on to Eintracht Frankfurt on a free transfer at the age of 24. Many expected him to play a supplementary role, but in retrospect, it was to be the kick-start to his career.
Even in the first few months of his time in the city on the tributary Main, it became clear that he was far more than just an average Bundesliga striker.
From the summer of 2023, the Egyptian has seemed to be unleashed, scoring an incredible 57 goals in 67 games for European Cup participants Frankfurt.
Whether in the Bundesliga, cup or European competitions, Marmoush has consistently delivered world-class performances over the last 18 months.
Marmoush leaves Frankfurt a hero
As lightning-fast as his rise has been, his personality seems to have changed very little. Off the pitch, he is seen as down-to-earth and loyal - qualities that have become rare in the glamourous world of professional football.
Ever since his emotional farewell to the Frankfurt fans after the victory over Borussia Dortmund, it has been clear that the 25-year-old will leave Eintracht as a hero.
In addition to Egyptian citizenship, Marmoush also has Canadian citizenship - a reminder that his parents lived in Canada for several years before returning to Cairo.
"I have Egypt in my heart, but Canada has a place in my history," Marmoush revealed in an interview. His multicultural background characterises him - perhaps it is precisely this background that makes him such an adaptable and versatile player.
The fact that Pep Guardiola and Manchester City have had their eye on Marmoush might come as a surprise at first glance as he has only been playing at the top level for a year and a half. However, anyone who has followed him in recent months knows that the 1.83-metre attacking player is a real all-rounder.
Marmoush can keep a defence busy on his own in the centre of attack, but can also play on the wings. His speed, coupled with a keen eye for goal and technical ability, makes him a nightmare for defences.
Grounded with strong nerves
City are looking for exactly that: flexibility in attack. With Erling Haaland as a target man, Marmoush could shine as a second centre-forward or winger and tear apart opposing defences with his dynamism.
He is also known for his tireless commitment and ability to deliver at key moments - a factor that should never be underestimated in the shark tank that is the Premier League.
A real trump card is Marmoush's mental strength. Despite his young age, he has already experienced a lot, be it the transition from Egyptian to European football or the challenges that came with his loan spells. This experience, combined with his infectious passion, could make him a valuable addition to the Sky Blues.
The transfer fee of around €75 million is a clear sign of how much City believe in Marmoush. But the pressure is enormous: the Premier League is regarded as the toughest league in the world and City fans expect nothing less than perfection.
Can Omar Marmoush live up to these expectations? If his career to date is any indication, there is a good chance that the Egyptian will also shine on the biggest stage of all!