IF Elfsborg has loaned defender Rufai Mohammed to Italian Serie A club Venezia FC. The agreement, confirmed on September 1, 2026, is a one-year loan deal with a purchase option for the Italian side.
The club reported the news on its official website. Mohammed, who is 20 years old, will spend the 2026/27 season in Italy. He returned to Elfsborg for this season after spending the entire previous year on loan at IFK Värnamo.
What does the loan deal mean for Elfsborg?
Club CEO Stefan Andreasson explains that the decision was made after a combined sporting and economic assessment. "This loan agreement secures a market-based transfer arrangement for the future," he says. The deal guarantees Elfsborg income if Venezia chooses to exercise the purchase option when the loan period ends in summer 2027.
Elfsborg currently sits in fourth place in Allsvenskan with 31 points from 19 matches. The team has won eight, drawn seven, and lost four games. Recent form is strong with five matches unbeaten, which you can follow on our standings page. The team trails league leaders Sirius by eleven points.
How has Mohammed performed at Elfsborg?
Rufai Mohammed joined IF Elfsborg in spring 2024 from Ghanaian club Inter Allies FC. Last season he spent on loan at IFK Värnamo, where he made 16 Allsvenskan appearances and scored two goals. This season he has played 18 total matches for Elfsborg, with 15 coming in the league.
Manager Björn Hamberg wishes the player well in Italy. "We wish Rufai good luck with his loan where he will gain new experiences and hopefully the playing time he is looking for," says Hamberg. He hopes Mohammed's development at Elfsborg can continue in the Italian environment.
What does the player say about the move?
Mohammed expresses mixed feelings about the transfer. "My time at Elfsborg has been very good and it has been an important journey for me." says the 20-year-old defender.
He sees the loan as a good opportunity to show his abilities on a new stage. Mohammed will miss his teammates in Borås and promises to follow the team's continued success. He hopes Elfsborg finishes the season strongly and qualifies for European football.
How does this affect Elfsborg's current squad?
With Mohammed's departure and Per Frick still injured, the coaching staff must adjust their defensive options. Elfsborg has conceded only 19 goals in 19 Allsvenskan matches this season, one of the best records in the league. The team has scored 27 goals, giving them a goal difference of +8.
The next match is a direct confrontation with the league leaders. Elfsborg travels to Sirius on October 18 for a match that could be decisive in the title race. You can see the full schedule on our fixtures page. The team faces an important period where defensive stability will be tested.
