Saudi Arabia’s Al-Qadisiyah club announced on Wednesday that it had made a major local signing to strengthen its first football team. The club’s official social media accounts revealed that it had officially signed international defender Waleed Al-Ahmad, who joins from Al-Taawoun club.

Contract details and signing ceremony in Al-Khobar

In an official statement released today, the club announced that Al-Qadisiyah's management has successfully secured the services of the 26-year-old player on a long-term contract extending until 2029. The signing ceremony took place at the club's headquarters in Al-Khobar, in the presence of the club's CEO, Mr. James Besgrove, who welcomed the player and wished him success in his new journey with the "Knights of the East." This move reflects the management's strong desire to ensure long-term technical stability for the team.

Remarkable figures and an upward trajectory

Waleed Al-Ahmad boasts an impressive statistics that have garnered significant attention this season. He joined Al-Taawoun during the summer transfer window of the 2023/2024 season from Al-Faisaly, and quickly established himself as one of the top defenders in the Saudi Professional League. This season, the international defender has featured in 17 matches for Al-Taawoun, not only fulfilling his defensive duties but also demonstrating a clear attacking flair by scoring four goals – a remarkable tally for a center-back – in just 1537 minutes of play, making him a valuable addition to the Al-Qadisiyah squad.

The new Al-Qadisiyah project and ambitions to compete

This deal takes on particular significance within the context of the major transformations Al-Qadisiyah Club has undergone since its acquisition by Saudi Aramco. Through these carefully considered signings, the club aims to build a strong team capable of competing with the top clubs in the Saudi Professional League. Attracting local international players, such as Waleed Al-Ahmad, is a cornerstone of the club's strategy to balance international stars with local talent, ensuring compliance with league regulations and establishing a strong team identity.

Expected impact on Al-Qadisiyah's defenses

The signing of Al-Ahmad is expected to solve several defensive problems, as well as capitalize on his height and positioning ability on set pieces, both offensively and defensively. Al-Qadsia fans view this acquisition with great optimism, as Al-Ahmad possesses considerable experience in Saudi football, having previously played for Al-Faisaly and more recently for Al-Taawoun. This means he will quickly adapt to the competitive environment without needing a lengthy adjustment period, which is crucial for the team as they strive for a higher league position and aim to compete for domestic titles in the coming years.

Saudi sports fans, especially those of Al-Nassr, are eagerly awaiting news on the availability of star striker Abdullah Al-Hamdan for the upcoming match against Al-Ittihad. This highly anticipated clash, part of the 21st round of the Saudi Professional , will take place at Al-Ahli Park in Riyadh.

Abdullah Al-Hamdan participated actively in Al-Nassr's group training session following the official completion of his transfer from arch-rivals Al-Hilal on a free transfer. His participation provided a positive indication of the player's physical readiness, after all financial and contractual terms were agreed upon, further igniting the enthusiasm of Al-Nassr fans eager to see him in his new jersey.

In the context of the match's technical preparations, the final decision regarding Al-Hamdan's participation rests with Al-Nassr's manager, Italian Simone Inzaghi . Inzaghi is expected to determine whether to field the player, either as a starter or as a substitute, based on his rapid integration with the team and his ability to implement the coach's tactical ideas, especially since "Clásico" matches demand a very high level of mental and technical readiness.

This match holds immense importance, far exceeding its significance as a mere three-pointer. Al-Nassr vs. Al-Ittihad encounters are among the most prominent fixtures in Saudi and Arab football, attracting widespread media and fan attention. This particular match comes at a crucial juncture in the season, as both teams strive to solidify their positions in the league standings, making the inclusion of any new player a potentially game-changing factor.

Al-Nassr enters this match with high morale after securing a victory in their last game against Al-Riyadh, continuing their positive run and strong performances this season in the Roshan League. The coaching staff aims to capitalize on this positive momentum, bolstered by new signings, to achieve a valuable win against their direct rivals, Al-Ittihad. This would significantly improve the team's chances of competing for the title and delight the fans expected to fill the stands of Al-Nassr's home stadium.

Young French striker Georges Elenikina, Al-Ittihad's newest signing, participated in the team's group training session on Wednesday evening as part of their intensive preparations for the highly anticipated and crucial match against Al-Nassr. The player's participation in training came just hours after his arrival in Jeddah early Wednesday morning, where the club finalized his transfer from French club Monaco during the winter transfer window, aiming to bolster the team's attacking options for the remainder of the season.

Al-Ittihad is preparing to host its traditional rival Al-Nassr in the Saudi Arabian football classic, scheduled for 8:30 PM on Friday, February 6th, as part of the Saudi Professional League. This match holds special significance for both teams, as Al-Ittihad seeks to appease its fans and improve its position in the standings, while Al-Nassr aims to continue its pursuit of the top spot.

The two teams' positions in the Roshan League before the Clasico

Al-Ittihad enters this match in sixth place in the Roshan League standings with 34 points, a position that falls short of the ambitions of the Jeddah-based club and its large fan base. A victory in this game is therefore crucial to getting back into contention for continental qualification. Meanwhile, Al-Nassr sits in second place with 46 points, just one point behind league leaders Al-Hilal (at the time of writing), meaning any slip-up could jeopardize their title aspirations.

The importance of the deal and its expected impact

Al-Ittihad fans are placing high hopes on the signing of George Elenikina to provide the necessary boost to the attack, especially given the fierce competition in the Saudi league this season, which boasts a host of world-class stars. The acquisition of the French talent is part of the club's strategy to attract promising players capable of making a difference. Elenikina is expected to form a strong partnership with the rest of the team's stars and will likely use the upcoming derby as an ideal opportunity to introduce himself to the Saudi public.

History and rivalry of El Clásico

Historically, matches between Al-Ittihad and Al-Nassr are always fiercely contested and exciting, considered among the strongest in the Arab world and the Middle East. The importance of the encounter extends beyond just the three points; it encompasses the morale and psychological impact on both the players and the fans. As the league enters its decisive stages, all eyes will be on the stadium to witness the potential debut of the newly promoted team and to see if Al-Ittihad can halt Al-Nassr's march towards the top of the table.