Abdulrahman Ghareeb signs for Al-Hilal... Details of the season's deal from Al-Nassr

In a significant development within Saudi football circles, Al-Hilal's management has reached a preliminary and near-final agreement with Al-Nassr star, international winger Abdulrahman Ghareeb, to join the "Leaders" starting next season. This swift move by Al-Hilal capitalizes on the player entering the free agency period of his current contract, a legally permissible period that allows any professional player to negotiate and sign with any other club without needing the consent of his original club, six months before the official end of his contract.

Deal details and source confirmation

Reliable sources have confirmed to Okaz newspaper that an agreement has been finalized between the two parties, with Ghareeb expressing his desire to embark on a new experience wearing the blue jersey. The official signing and announcement of the deal are expected soon, following agreement on all financial and contractual terms. This move is considered a bombshell in Saudi sports circles, given the historical sensitivity and fierce rivalry between Riyadh's two giants, Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr, especially in light of their intense battle this season for the top spot in the Saudi Professional League.

Gharib's journey... from the fortress of cups to the global one

Returning to the player's career, Abdulrahman Ghareeb spent a significant period with Al-Nassr, having joined the "Knights of Najd" on August 20, 2022, from Al-Ahli in a massive deal worth 30 million riyals on a four-year contract. During his time with Al-Nassr, Ghareeb was a key player in the squad, contributing his skills and speed to numerous victories.

Ghareeb's talent originated at Al-Ahli Jeddah, where he began his football career in the youth ranks, progressing with distinction through the various age groups to the first team. He played 117 official matches with Al-Ahli, demonstrating his quality as a modern winger, scoring 17 goals and providing 14 assists, making him a target for major clubs.

The importance of the deal and its expected impact

This deal holds immense strategic importance for Al-Hilal, not only because it weakens their direct rival, but also because it strengthens the team with a highly experienced local international player who has played in both Saudi and Asian leagues. Given the regulations governing the number of foreign players, high-quality local players remain a rare commodity and a fundamental requirement for competing on all fronts.

This deal is expected to spark widespread controversy in the sports world, bringing back memories of direct transfer deals between the two traditional rivals, which are always accompanied by a huge media and public frenzy, further increasing the excitement of the anticipated Riyadh derby and the Saudi League competitions, which have become the focus of the world's attention.