 Ajax entered talks with Middlesbrough over signing Mido on a free transfer in July. On 1 September, he signed a one-year loan contract. Mido made his league debut on 16 October 2010, coming on as a substitute for Miralem Sulejmani in a 3 – 0 win against NAC Breda. He scored his first goal on 11 November in a 3 – 0 win against Veendam in the Dutch Cup. Despite scoring three goals in six appearances, his first-team football opportunities were limited, having been on the starting line-up only once. After Martin Jol resigned, Mido lost his place when new manager Frank de Boer was appointed on 6 December 2010. On 4 January 2011, he wrote Ajax a letter to cancel his contract.
