RIYADH: Frenchman Moussa Diaby has joined Al-Ittihad, the club announced on Thursday.
The Jeddah team posted an announcement video with the player wearing Ittihad’s black and yellow jersey.
He will join the Tigers on a five-year contract after successfully passing a medical exam in Alicante, Spain, a club statement said.
“Hello Tigers, I am here,” Diaby announces in the video, holding a vintage rotary phone.
“I am thrilled to join Al-Ittihad and be part of a project that aims to build a strong team reflecting the club’s rich history and values. I look forward to collaborating with my new teammates to achieve victories and bring joy to our dedicated fans,” said the Frenchman.
“Diaby has an impressive track record, having played in the top leagues of France, Germany, and England, where he has showcased his talent and skill as a winger,” the statement read.
Domingos Oliveira, the CEO of Ittihad, said: “Our sports committee identified the need to strengthen the winger position with an exceptional player, and we are confident that Moussa Diaby is one of the top players who stand out globally in this role.”
The 25-year-old midfielder played 54 games for English Premier League side Aston Villa, including 25 appearances last season during their impressive fourth place finish.
In Spain, the player was welcomed by the team’s sporting director, Ramon Planes, and introduced to his new teammates and the technical and administrative staff.
He joins fellow Frenchmen Karim Benzema and Ngolo Kante in the west coast city.
The left-footed Diaby, a pacy and versatile player, is not known for scoring lots of goals but his attacking threat will be an advantage for the Tigers.
Ittihad had a disappointing season last year with a fifth place finish, after winning the Saudi Pro League title a year earlier.
The Jeddah side has brought in veteran French player Laurent Blanc as coach to boost their chances against the other big three clubs in the SPL: Al-Hilal, Al-Nassr and Al-Ahli.
Ittihad are currently in pre-season training in Spain and will play Seville on Friday.
Moussa Diaby joins Al-Ittihad from Aston Villa
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Moussa Diaby joins Al-Ittihad from Aston Villa
- Moussa Diaby joins fellow Frenchmen Karim Benzema and Ngolo Kante in Jeddah
Al-Ittihad fans attain record-breaking attendance for Roshn Saudi League season
- Al-Ahli fans came in second with 354,019 attendees
- This year’s champions had their fans passing the half-a-million attendance mark
RIYADH: Al-Ittihad supporters have emerged as the most dedicated fans throughout the Roshn Saudi League 2024/2025 season with a total number of 594,326 attendees.
Al-Ahli fans came in second with 354,019 attendees, according to official data released on Wednesday via Saudi Pro League’s Arabic handle on X.
This year’s champions, Al-Ittihad, were the only club where fans passed the half-a-million attendance mark, out of a total number of 2.5 million supporters who attended the whole RSL.
Meanwhile, Al-Hilal secured third place with 302,028 attendees while Al-Nassr ranked fourth with a total of 277,821attendees.
In a notable rise, newly promoted Al-Qadsiah, returning from the Yelo League (First Division), claimed fifth spot with 168,331 fans.
Rounding out the list were Al-Fateh in sixth, followed by Al-Ettifaq, Al-Shabab, Al-Taawoun, Damac, Al-Khaleej, Al-Raed, Al-Wehda, Al-Kholood, Al-Orobah, Al-Riyadh, Al-Okhdood and Al-Fayha.
Coach Michel Gonzalez readies Al-Qadsiah for King Cup final
- Spaniard holds light training session after resting key players for league game against Al-Hilal
- Al-Qadsiah will play Al-Ittihad in Friday’s showdown in Jeddah
JEDDAH: Spanish coach Michel Gonzalez put his Al-Qadsiah team through a light training session on Tuesday as they prepare for Friday’s King Cup final showdown against Al-Ittihad.
Al-Qadsiah qualified for the final after beating Al-Raed 1–0 in the semifinal. Al-Ittihad beat Al-Shabab 3–2 to secure their spot.
Gonzalez left several of his first team players out of Monday’s Saudi Roshn League away clash with Al-Hilal at the Kingdom Arena, which they lost 2-0.
Goalkeeper Koen Casteels, defenders Nacho, Ibrahim Mahnashi, Turki Al-Ammar, midfielder Nahitan Nandez and striker Julian Quinones were all rested ahead of final, which will be played at Al-Inma Stadium in King Abdullah Sports City.
Al-Qadsiah will fly to Jeddah on Thursday and have their final training session at the stadium ahead of the match.
Galeno returns to Al-Ahli squad ahead of season finale
- Key player available for selection in Monday’s crucial clash against Al-Riyad
- Forward had been out of action since injury in Elite AFC Champions League final
Brazilian winger Wanderson Galeno has rejoined Al-Ahli’s first team after a three-week absence due to injury, the club confirmed on Saturday.
Al-Ahli announced via its official X platform account that Galeno has returned to full training, making him available for selection in Monday’s crucial clash against Al-Riyadh — the 34th and final round of the Saudi Pro League (Roshn League).
Galeno had been out since sustaining a thigh muscle injury during the Elite AFC Champions League final against Japan’s Kawasaki Frontale on May 3. He scored in that match, helping Al-Ahli to secure a 2–0 victory and lift the continental title.
Since his arrival from Brazil in January, Galeno has made a strong impact with 18 appearances, netting seven goals and providing five assists for the Jeddah-based side.
Three clubs fighting relegation in SPL Roshn League’s final round
- Two out of the three clubs — Al-Wehda, Al-Akhdood and Al-Orobah — will be relegated to join Al-Raed
- Al-Wehda will stay in the league if they win or draw against Al-Ettifaq in Dammam
RIYADH: Three clubs — Al-Wehda, Al-Akhdood and Al-Orobah — will be fighting relegation during the Saudi Pro League (Roshn League) final round on Monday with matches being played simultaneously.
Two out of the three clubs will join Al-Raed, who have already been relegated to the first division. As things stand, Al-Wehda is in 15th place with 33 points, Al-Akhdood is in 16th place with 31 points and Al-Orobah is in 17th place with 30 points.
Al-Wehda will stay in the league if they win or draw against Al-Ettifaq in Dammam. A loss means they will need both Al-Akhdood and Al-Orobah to also lose or draw.
Al-Akhdood must beat Al-Khaleej and hope that Al-Wehda lose, as that would keep Al-Akhdood in the SPL for another new season.
Al-Orobah has the most difficult task. They need to beat Al-Taawoun in Al-Jouf and then hope that both Al-Wehda and Al-Akhdood lose. If that happens, Al-Orobah will move above Al-Akhdood in points and tie with Al-Wehda.
In that case, Al-Orobah would survive because they have a better head-to-head record against Al-Wehda — losing the first match 2–1 but winning the second 4–2.
All eyes on Saudi Yelo League as promotion playoff drama begins
- With Neom and Al-Najma already sealing their top-flight status via automatic promotion, four other clubs are set to battle for the third and final slot
RIYADH: The inaugural Yelo League playoffs kick off on Friday, bringing fresh excitement to the race for promotion to the Saudi Pro League.
With Neom and Al-Najma already sealing their top-flight status via automatic promotion, four other clubs are set to battle for the third and final slot in this newly introduced post-season format.
Al-Hazm, Al-Adalah, Al-Bukayriyah and Al-Tai have earned their playoff places after finishing third, fifth, sixth, and seventh respectively in the season standings.
Al-Tai stepped in for fourth-placed Al-Jabalain, who were disqualified for failing to meet the Roshn League’s club licensing criteria.
Al-Adalah face Al-Bukayriyah in Al-Ahsa, while Al-Hazm host Al-Tai in Al-Rass.
Both Al-Hazm and Al-Tai are aiming for immediate redemption, hoping to bounce straight back up to the SPL after suffering relegation at the end of the 2023–24 campaign.
