Benzema to Al-Hilal... Details of 13 deals at the close of the Roshan transfer window
The curtain fell yesterday, Monday, on one of the most exciting winter transfer windows in Saudi football history, with the final day of the transfer market witnessing an unprecedented flurry of activity, culminating in 13 official deals being finalized. Clubs in the Saudi Professional League capitalized on the last hours before the window closed, which had opened on January 5th, to bolster their squads and address technical weaknesses in preparation for the crucial stages of the season.
Benzema joins Al-Hilal... the biggest deal of the season
In a stunning upset that has shaken up the balance of power in the league, the biggest story of the final day was the transfer of French star and Ballon d'Or winner Karim Benzema from Al-Ittihad to their arch-rivals Al-Hilal. This deal is considered a footballing earthquake given the player's immense talent and his expected impact on Al-Hilal's attack, reflecting the strong desire of Saudi clubs to maintain a high level of competition and enhance the league's global standing.
Details of last day's deals
The movement was not limited to the top, but included changes across various league clubs, with the list of 13 transfers on the final day being as follows:
- Al-Hilal: In addition to Benzema, the club secured its future by signing the talented Simon Bouabrie.
- Al Shabab: Strengthened its attack by signing Haroun Kamara.
- Al-Fayha: Secured the services of the young striker “Abdullah Radif”.
- Al-Khaleej: Signing player Thamer Al-Khaibri.
- Al-Qadisiyah: Continued to strengthen its ranks strongly by signing “Hussein Al-Qahtani” and “Waleed Al-Ahmad”.
- Cooperation: It was the most active with the inclusion of the trio “Kashim Al-Qahtani”, “Qasim Lajami”, and “Saif Rajab”.
- Damac: Signed Jonathan Okita and Nawaf Al-Saadi.
- Departures: The market witnessed the transfer of defender Jawad El Yamiq to the ranks of Real Zaragoza of Spain.
The context of transformation in Saudi football
These intensive transfers come within the context of the qualitative leap that Saudi sports are witnessing as part of Vision 2030, with the Roshan League becoming an attractive destination for the world's top stars. The winter transfer window is no longer just a period for course correction, but has become a strategic opportunity for clubs to rebuild their squads and compete strongly for local and continental titles, promising a second half of the season full of excitement and fierce competition.
