Saudi Pro League has undergone a transformative shift in the realm of player transfers. Prince Faisal bin Fahd, the son of King Fahd, owns the club. Saudi Arabia has managed to allure some of the most prominent figures in the football world this summer. The League has reported an astonishing net expenditure of €889 million during this summer transfer window.
This figure encompasses not only the clubs owned by the Public Investment Fund but also extends to others, such as Al-Ettifaq and Al-Shabab. With the closure of the Saudi transfer window, here is an all-encompassing roster of players who have made the financially rewarding transition to the Middle East in recent months.
Who signed up for AI Riyadh?
Al Riyadh Soccer Club is a seasoned football organization in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia’s capital. It sprouted its roots in 1954 and proudly competes in the upper echelons of Saudi football within the Saudi Professional League. Al Riyadh boasts a remarkable track record, clinching two league championships, three King Cups, and the prestigious Arab Club Champions Cup. As things stand in the current season, Al Riyadh resents in the 15th position on the Saudi Professional League standings. A year prior, they wrapped up the season in the 13th slot.
Birama Toure (free transfer from Nantes)
The Malian midfielder joined Al Riyadh on a free transfer after his contract with Auxerre expired in June 2023. The 31-year-old Toure had spent six seasons with the French club, playing 212 league games and scoring four goals. He also helped them reach the semi-finals of the Coupe de France in 2021. Toure is a defensive midfielder who can also play as a central midfielder.
Birama Toure is known for his physical strength, tackling ability, and passing range. He also represents the Mali national team, having earned 10 caps since his debut in 2014. He will compete with Abdullah Al-Otaibi and Abdulrahman Al-Dosari for a place in Al Riyadh’s midfield. Toure is expected to bring some experience and stability to Al Riyadh, who finished 15th in the Saudi Professional League last season
Juanmi (loan from Real Betis – 8 Cr)
An inventive inclusion in Al Riyadh’s offensive lineup, the Spanish winger arrives on the scene through a season-long loan deal from Real Betis, with a prospective acquisition opportunity upon the season’s culmination. The 30-year-old Juanmi previously enjoyed a fruitful tenure at Betis, contributing 23 goals in 79 appearances in La Liga while basking in the glory of a Copa del Rey victory in 2022.
His journey in the footballing landscape also meandered through Málaga, Racing Santander, Southampton, and Real Sociedad, complemented by a solitary cap for the Spain national team in 2015. Juanmi showcases remarkable versatility, comfortably assuming roles on either wing or as a secondary striker.
Martin Campana (free transfer from Independiente)
Martín Campaña, the proficient Uruguayan goalkeeper, currently donning the gloves for Al-Riyadh in the Saudi Professional League and representing the Uruguay national team. His journey commenced with Independiente in 2016, initially on a loan basis, before making his stay permanent. During his tenure at the Argentine club, he splendidly featured in 110 matches, clinching the coveted 2017 Copa Sudamericana and the prestigious 2018 Suruga Bank Championship.
Notably, he earned accolades as the best goalkeeper of the 2017 Copa Sudamericana and the 2018 Recopa Sudamericana. In 2020, Campaña embarked on a new chapter in Saudi Arabia, signing up with Al-Batin. His impact was significant, featuring in 79 matches, steering the team away from the threat of relegation in his debut season, and guiding them to a commendable seventh-place finish in his second campaign.
Alin Tosca (free transfer from PAOK)
Alin Tosca is a Romanian professional footballer who plays as a left-back or a center-back for Saudi Pro League club Al-Riyadh on loan from Italian Serie C Group C club Benevento1. He joined Al-Riyadh in July 2023 on a free transfer, signing a one-year contract with an option to buy. He wears the number 6 shirt and has made eight league appearances for the Saudi club. Before joining Al-Riyadh, Tosca played for PAOK in Greece on loan from Real Betis in Spain. He moved to PAOK in August 2018 and played seven games for them, winning the 2018–19 Super League Greece and the 2018–19 Greek Football Cup
Coaches that made the switch:
Omonia Nicosia
Yannick Ferrera, Al Riyadh, The Belgian coach, who Omonia Nicosia sacked in February 2023 after a poor run of results in the Cypriot league, accepted an offer to join Al Riyadh, the newly promoted club in the Saudi Pro League. Ferrera signed a 2-year contract with Al Riyadh on July 1, 2023. He has led his team to two wins, two draws, and six losses in their first 10 league games this season.
Who else was linked?
Some of the other players who were linked with Al-Riyadh in the recent transfer window are:
Alireza Jahanbakhsh
The Iranian winger, a prominent figure in the English Premier League representing Brighton & Hove Albion, was a target firmly in Al Riyadh’s crosshairs. €4 million was reportedly on the table in their pursuit of his services. However, the deal never came to fruition, as Jahanbakhsh opted to remain in England and vie for his place within his current team.
Juanmi Jimenez
The Spanish forward, plying his trade for Real Betis in La Liga, embarked on a temporary journey with Al Riyadh for the 2023/24 season. This arrangement included an enticing option to secure his services permanently for a fee of €12 million. Until now, Juanmi has showcased his striking prowess, netting two goals across six appearances for Al Riyadh.
Didier Ndong
The midfield maestro hailing from Gabon, who previously donned the colors of Dijon FCO in Ligue 1, found himself in a unique position as a free agent following the expiration of his contract with Dijon in June 2023. On August 12, 2023, he committed to a two-year pact with Al Riyadh, reinforcing their midfield contingent. Ndong has already made his mark, featuring in eight games for Al Riyadh and contributing with a valuable assist.
Who rejected the move?
Paul Pogba
The esteemed French midfielder, a linchpin for Manchester United in the English Premier League, found himself in Al Riyadh’s sights back in January 2023. The Saudi club extended a substantial contract offer of €25 million annually, seeking to secure his services. However, Pogba gracefully declined the proposal, expressing his desire to remain in Europe and continue pursuing trophies with his current club, Manchester United.
Lionel Messi
The legendary Argentine forward, a cornerstone of Paris Saint-Germain’s roster in Ligue 1, stood as the focal point of Al Riyadh’s aspirations. During the summer of 2023, the club spared no expense in their pursuit, offering an astronomical €100 million per year, alongside the allure of a private jet and a palace in Riyadh. Nonetheless, Messi opted to stay rooted in Paris, expressing contentment with his situation at PSG and a lack of intention to depart.
Kylian Mbappé
Another prominent French forward, who also plies his trade with Paris Saint-Germain, attracted Al Riyadh’s attention as they envisioned a formidable attacking duo alongside Messi. The enticements included a staggering €80 million per year, a share of the club’s profits, and a luxurious villa in Riyadh. Despite the enticing offer, Mbappé made it clear that his aspirations resided in playing in Europe’s premier leagues and challenging himself against the continent’s elite teams, thus declining Al Riyadh’s proposal.