Not many 21-year-olds can say they have played international football, had spells at Liverpool and Manchester City, and are now playing in non-league football after being spotted on a mobile phone app. But Jarma Mohamed's footballing journey is not that of your typical midfielder.

The combative playmaker has been recalled to Somalia's side for their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers with Ghana this month, capping a rollercoaster year for the Liverpudlian. In doing so, he has become the first player in Jersey Bulls' history to receive a full senior international call-up while playing for the club.

From Toxteth to the academies

Mohamed was born in Toxteth, Liverpool, where his Somalian grandfather settled as part of the city's large Somali community. It is that heritage that has allowed him to play for Somalia, a side ranked 200th in the world and the lowest-ranked team to reach the final round of qualifying for the Africa Cup of Nations.

He had trials at Liverpool and Everton as a boy, chose Liverpool at the age of nine, and then signed for Manchester City at 11. Along the way he played alongside Jayden Danns at Liverpool and England internationals Rico Lewis and Nico O'Reilly at Manchester City. After leaving City he won a scholarship at Wigan Athletic, a period he has described as one of the best memories of his footballing life, playing full-time, travelling the country for away games and captaining the side at times.

He was released by Wigan in 2024 and spent time in non-league football with Bamber Bridge and Newcastle Town, before his career reached a crossroads in the summer.

Spotted on an app, signed by Jersey Bulls

Mohamed had been playing showcase games with a company called Player, which puts players in front of clubs. Jersey Bulls, of the Isthmian League South Central in the eighth tier of English football, were on the app looking for players, and the owner of Player put him in contact with the club. He moved to the island in the summer, where he now works as a youth coach while anchoring the midfield of a Jersey Bulls side riding high in their division.

He has featured in all 15 of his club's league fixtures this season as they have climbed to the top of the table, and club director Ian Horswell has praised his professionalism since his arrival. Jersey Bulls manager Elliot Powell has spoken of his pedigree and upbringing in the game, and the club has described the call-up as a fantastic achievement for both the player and the club.

A historic Somalia campaign

Mohamed made his Somalia debut against Mauritius in March, as the Ocean Stars reached the final qualifying stages of the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time in their history, beating the island nation on penalties after two goalless draws. He is part of a Somali squad made up of more players from the global diaspora than those born in the country itself.

Having reached the qualifying stage for next summer's tournament, the lowest-ranked side left face a tough group against three-time champions Ivory Coast, Gambia and Ghana, who have won the tournament four times. For Mohamed, the qualifiers against Ghana this month are the latest step in a journey that has taken him from Premier League academies to non-league football in Jersey, and on to the international stage.