Roma have completed a deal that sees Egyptian winger Mohamed Salah join the Serie A side on loan from English Premier League champions Chelsea.

The season-long loan means that the Egypt international returns to Italian football ahead of the new campaign, which begins in a couple of weeks.

Salah was on loan at Fiorentina from Chelsea since January. He made an immediate impact on the Italian side’s efforts in Serie A, the Coppa Italia and the Europa League.

In the Italian top flight Salah scored six strikes in 16 appearances, while setting up three goals for his team-mates. In another two cup games he contributed a further two goals.

The 23-year-old’s loan deal came to an end with the conclusion of last season, and now he returns to the Italian top flight to represent La Viola’s rivals.

Fiorentina seemed to be close to a deal a few weeks ago, but nothing was made official and Roma swooped in to hijack the deal once Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho had given his blessing to the player’s departure.

“Chelsea Football Club has agreed terms with AS Roma for the season-long loan of Mohamed Salah,” the English club revealed on their official website. “The winger will spend the 2015/16 campaign on loan at the Stadio Olimpico and the agreement includes an option to purchase at any point during the season,” the statement added.

Many clubs were interested in the talented winger, including the likes of Fiorentina, Inter Milan, AC Milan, Wolfsburg, Atletico Madrid, and Liverpool, but the club from Italy’s capital was able to lure Salah for a season loan.