Meet the Mohamed Salah of squash who has opted for England over Egypt

When Mohamed El Shorbagy arrived at Castle Cary station in Somerset 16 years ago as a rising Egyptian junior, little did he know that he would go on to not only reside full-time in the West Country but then, as he did this week, switch allegiances to England.

Twenty-one years ago, squash great Peter Nicol became front page news when he crossed borders from Scotland to England. El Shorbagy’s decision was greeted with less derision here, but news sent shockwaves through Egypt,  country which now dominates squash’s landscape. In both cases, the players cited a lack of support and funding.

“This is not going to a new coach or to live in a new city, it is the hardest decision I have ever made,” El Shorbagy tells Telegraph Sport. “I have been known to be brave in my career. I’ve always had the fighting qualities and I want to fulfil this new challenge and achieve things under the English flag.”

He has every reason to do so. Currently world No3, Bristol-based El Shorbagy attended Millfield School, studied at the University of the West of England and raised his game under the inspiring tutelage of Jonah Barrington, a six-times British Open champion, who first picked him up off the train.

It was on English soil in Manchester that El Shorbagy lifted his first world title five years ago, beating younger brother Marwan, who also resides in Bristol but remains Egyptian.

Mohamed held the world No1 spot for 50 months between 2014 and 2021, while his form had dipped this season. He had been off court for four months and did not make a quarter-final until winning a PSA Tour title in Washington in February.

We now know the reason for his "personal and emotional" toil. “When England Squash approached me I wasn’t playing a very good season,