The winter transfer window has been and gone, with a raft of new arrivals landing in the Kingdom ready to begin their Roshn Saudi League journey.What’s noticeable once more is our clubs' collective ...
The winter transfer window has been and gone, with a raft of new arrivals landing in the Kingdom ready to begin their Roshn Saudi League journey.
What’s noticeable once more is our clubs' collective preference to look for players of a younger age profile, as the dynamic around signing players changes with an eye on the future.
With that in mind, here are some of the RSL's fresh faces to keep an eye on for the remainder of the season.
Mohamed Kader Meite - Al Hilal
Al Hilal seem to have struck gold with the signing of the highly rated 18-year-old forward from Rennes.
Amid the drama of the final days of the transfer window, Meite’s signing almost slipped under the radar, but it hasn’t gone unnoticed around the world given the striker was recently linked with a move to English giants Manchester United.
Considered a star of the future for the French national team, he’ll get invaluable tutelage working alongside compatriot, and fellow new addition, Karim Benzema.
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George Ilenikhena - Al Ittihad
From one young French sensation to another, the RSL champions will be buoyed by the capture of the 19-year-old forward who, despite his tender age, has already racked up more than 100 appearances across stints with Amiens, Antwerp and AS Monaco. As such, a switch to Lille this window was mooted.
Making his debut in the Coupe de France aged only 16 years, Ilenikhena scored five goals in 38 appearances for AS Monaco across the past season and a half and, in 2023, was named on The Guardian’s “Next Generation” list of best young talents in world football.
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Iker Kortajarena - Al Kholood
Al Kholood were busy in the winter transfer window as they sought to strengthen the side to further their push for survival. And the 25-year-old Spaniard, who most recently played in La Liga 2 with SD Huesca, looks one of the more interesting recruits.
Given Al Kholood’s connection to Spanish football through pioneering owner Ben Harburg, who also boasts in his portfolio La Liga 2 side Cadiz, there would be a keen understanding of the Spanish market, especially its second division.
With that in mind, Al Kholood would’ve no doubt seen Kortajarena up close this season. Therefore, they’ll be fully aware of what the attacking midfielder can bring to the table.
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Marin Petkov - Al Taawoun
With six of their foreign contingent coming from South America, Al Taawoun have thought outside that particular box with the acquisition of the 22-year-old Bulgarian international striker.
Capped more than 20 times for his country, Petkov was the joint-top scorer for Levski Sofia last season as they finished second in his homeland’s lead division, and his seven goals already this season helped the club to top spot in the table.
With Al Taawoun in a bit of a rut at the moment, Petkov could be just what they need to rediscover their mojo as Pericles Chamusca's aspiring side look to secure a top-five finish.
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Muhannad Al Saad - NEOM Sports Club
It wasn’t only foreign stars arriving in the RSL; one of the country’s most promising youngsters also returned after time spent in Europe with both Dunkerque in France and Lausanne-Sport in Switzerland.
Al Saad is not a new addition at NEOM SC having joined in 2024 when they were in the second tier but, having been on loan in recent times, his comeback will feel like a new signing for Christophe Galtier’s men.
Hugely ambitious, the promoted club could do with a spark to resuscitate their debut-campaign's objectives. For that, Al Saad’s comeback could prove very timely, indeed.
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Victor Lekhal - Al Riyadh
Al Riyadh were another club busy in the market, with a handful of fresh additions to their squad. And, given their predicament this season, it’s easy to understand why.
What the capital club require, as they try to navigate a way to safety, are experienced heads and, in Algerian international Victor Lekhal, they might have found just that.
Aged 31, the French-born midfielder has built more than 200 games’ worth of pro knowhow featuring for Le Habre in Ligue 1 and Ligue 2. Also, he understands the region having most recently played in Qatar with Umm Salal and Kuwait with Qadsia SC.
Al Riyadh signed experienced midfielder Victor Lekhal to bolster their fight for survival
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Ali Azaizeh - Al Shabab
The 21-year-old has been on the fringes of the Jordanian national team for a while now, but finally got his chance to impress when he made his debut against Mali in November.
Azaizeh backed that up with a star showing at the recent AFC Under-23 Asian Cup, finishing joint-top scorer with four goals, which included a brace against Saudi Arabia that no doubt put him on the radar of clubs in the RSL.
With the 2026 FIFA World Cup on the horizon, a good showing for Al Shabab could put Azaizeh on the plane to North America.
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Yvan Neyou - Al Okhdood
Only a year ago, the Cameroon international was playing in La Liga for Getafe against the likes of Barcelona and Real Madrid, while he also has developed big-game experience in Ligue 1 with Saint-Etienne and in representing his country at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.
That type of elite-level education, principally promoting a calm head when things don’t go your way, could be exactly what Al Okhdood require in the remaining matches as the second-from-bottom club try to dig their way out of the relegation zone.
Category: General Sports