Report: Nashville SC agrees to transfer fee for 21 year-old winger Ahmed Qasem

Image credit: IF Elfsborg

On Tuesday, Anel Avdić of Sport Expressen reported that Nashville SC had agreed to a transfer fee of roughly $4.2 million with Swedish club IF Elfsborg for 21 year-old winger Ahmed Qasem, with that report later being confirmed by GIVEMESPORT’s Tom Bogert.

This transfer would mark Nashville’s third foray into Scandinavia since the opening of the summer window last season, having already signed midfielders Patrick Yazbek from Viking FK and Edvard Tagseth from Rosenborg BK in Norway.

Qasem’s arrival would fill Nashville’s third and final U-22 Initiative slot, as they currently have three Designated Players. A fourth U-22 signing would become possible if any of those Designated Player slots become available in the future.

Since signing with the Swedish club in 2021, Qasem has logged 11 goals and 11 assists in 90 appearances. In 2024, Qasem scored five goals and four assists in the league, in addition to three goals and one assist in Europa League, both in qualifying and the league phase. This includes his 55th minute winner against Qarabag FK.

On the international stage, Qasem has represented Sweden at youth levels, but is eligible to represent Iraq as well.

Fun little future trivia question to end on, Qasem’s signing would mark the first time Nashville SC have signed a player from a European club they’ve actually played against before.