January 22 – In a ground-breaking agreement between Spanish football and authorities in Saudi Arabia, nine Saudi players will dispute the remainder of the season in La Liga, according to local reports.
The players, some of whom are likely to play for Saudi Arabia at the World Cup – the country’s first appearance since 2006 – are loanees with their contracted clubs receiving compensation.
The top-flight Spanish clubs involved are Villarreal, Leganes and Levante while second-tier sides Sporting Gijon, Numancia, Rayo Vallecano and Real Valladolid also participated in the deal.
Before the loan signings were announced on Sunday, the vast majority of Saudi Arabia’s international players competed domestically. Only one, Mukhtar Ali, plays abroad with Dutch top flight side Vitesse Arnhem.
“The General Sports Authority (GSA) of Saudi Arabia, the Saudi Arabian Football federation (SAFF) and La Liga, the internationally renowned Spanish football league, today announced key next steps in their partnership to grow the game of football in Saudi Arabia,” said a statement from La Liga.
”First announced in October, the multi-year partnership has multiple elements including an academy partnership and a talent scouting initiative for young footballers in Saudi Arabia.
”These loan agreements, for an initial period of six months, allow these players to further develop their skills training and playing in Spain.
“The incorporation of players from Saudi Arabia in the Spanish clubs follows a rigorous scouting programme that spanned multiple months to identify the best talent.”
Villarreal, who are fifth in the Liga standings and in the last 32 of the Europa League, have brought in midfielder Salem Al Dawsari (pictured), while Leganes signed forward Yahia Al-Shehri and Levante have taken Fahad Al-Muwallad.
“As part of this collaboration, our club in the past few months has worked alongside La Liga in scouting Saudi international footballers and youth prospects to determine the choice of our new signing,” said a statement from Levante. “With the arrival of Fahad Al-Muwallad we sign a player that will help gain visibility in the Arab world, where La Liga is the most followed international league.”
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