Sports
Youth winter transfer deals 2026: 8 players to save the season
Learn about the details of Al Shabab's 8 deals in the winter of 2026, including the signing of Ali Al-Bulaihi and Haroun Camara, to save the team in the Saudi Professional League.

Al-Shabab Club announced a complete overhaul of its first football team, intensifying its activity in the final hours of the 2026 winter transfer window. This bold move comes as an urgent response from the club's management to correct the team's faltering course and strengthen the squad with prominent names and field experience capable of lifting "Al-Laith" (The Lion) out of its slump before the resumption of the second half of the 2025-2026 Saudi Professional League season.
A difficult reality and historical challenges
Al-Shabab's strong activity in the winter transfer window was no coincidence, but rather the result of a realistic assessment of the difficult position the Saudi club finds itself in at the top of the league table. After 19 rounds of the competition, Al-Shabab finds itself in thirteenth place, a position unbecoming of the club's prestigious history, a club that has always been a top-four contender and a perennial title contender. With only 19 points, accumulated from 4 wins, 7 draws, and 8 losses, a major overhaul has become imperative to avoid getting bogged down in the complexities of relegation and to restore the team's prestige.
Details of the eight deals: a mix of experience and youth
Al-Shabab's management successfully completed eight strategic deals, ranging from permanent transfers to loans, aiming to address weaknesses across all areas of the team. The reinforcements included prominent names in Saudi football, with the permanent signing of Mohammed Al-Thani from Al-Qadisiyah and Basel Al-Sayali from Al-Hazm, injecting new blood into the squad.
Regarding loans, the administration focused on attracting players with experience in playing under pressure, signing veteran defender Ali Al-Bulaihi from Al-Hilal, full-back Fawaz Al-Saqour returning from Al-Ittihad, and striker Haroun Camara from Al-Nasr until the end of the season, in addition to signing Ali Al-Asmari from Neom, and Ali Al-Azaiza from Kazma of Kuwait.
The importance of change and its expected impact
This youthful "new look" carries profound technical and administrative implications. The acquisition of players of Al-Bulaihi and Al-Saqour's caliber reflects a desire to bolster the defense, which has struggled in recent matches, while the signings of Kamara and Al-Azaiza aim to revitalize the attack and increase scoring efficiency. Al-Shabab fans hope these new additions will create a positive shock within the dressing room, quickly translating into improved performances on the pitch, ensuring a comfortable finish to the season that restores confidence among the supporters and lays the foundation for a more stable season ahead.
Sports
Al-Nasr officially registers David Eviato ahead of the Al-Ittihad match in the Roshan League
Learn about the details of Al-Nasr club registering player David Eviato in the local list hours before the Al-Ittihad classic in the 21st round of the Roshan League, and the details of Al-Nasr’s recent victory.

In a decisive administrative move reflecting the team's desire to strengthen its ranks and compete strongly for domestic and continental titles, Al-Nassr FC officials have successfully completed the registration of new player David Eviato in the team's local and continental rosters. This step comes at an ideal time, preceding the highly anticipated clash against Al-Ittihad FC in the 21st round of the Saudi Professional League, to be held at Al-Nassr's home ground, "Al-Awwal Park.".
The Al-Nassr vs. Al-Ittihad match holds immense importance, transcending its status as a mere three-pointer. It represents the "classic" of Saudi football, attracting a massive following both locally and regionally. Matches between these two teams are always fiercely contested and thrilling, with each side striving to assert dominance and delight their fans. This makes having all the necessary players and tactical options at the disposal of the coaching staff crucial for securing victory in such high-stakes encounters.
Informed sources within the Riyadh-based club confirmed that Al-Nassr's management exerted intensive efforts in the past few hours to ensure the player's eligibility. They successfully registered David Eviato on the approved Nigerian roster, making him available to the coaching staff before the start of the crucial match in the Roshan League. Al-Nassr officials finalized the signing of the talented David Eviato during the last winter transfer window, following successful negotiations and an agreement on all financial and contractual terms of the deal, as part of the management's efforts to inject new blood into the team.
On the technical front, Al-Nassr enters the match with high morale after securing an important victory in their last game against Al-Kholoud with a clean sheet. That match witnessed a remarkable performance from the team's stars, with the winning goal coming from Senegalese star Sadio Mane, who converted a magical and brilliant pass from his teammate Joao Felix, expertly placing it into the net, signaling the readiness of the team's attacking force ahead of the anticipated clash against Al-Ittihad.
This administrative and technical movement at Al-Nasr Club reflects the great development that Saudi football and the Roshan League competition are witnessing, as clubs are working to attract the best elements and prepare them to the highest standards to ensure competition in the long league marathon, which promises a high-level tactical and technical confrontation in the upcoming Clasico.
Sports
Tickets for the Al-Ittihad vs. Al-Gharafa match: Prices and date in the Asian Champions League
Find out the details of ticket sales for the Al-Ittihad vs. Al-Gharafa match in the AFC Champions League. Prices start from 10 riyals, and find out the date of the crucial match and the teams' standings in the group.

Saudi Arabia's Al-Ittihad Club announced on Tuesday the release of tickets for their highly anticipated match against Qatar's Al-Gharafa, as part of the seventh round of the AFC Champions League. The club's management has set promotional ticket prices starting from just 10 riyals, a move aimed at encouraging Al-Ittihad fans to attend in large numbers and support the team in this important continental encounter.
Date of the Al-Ittihad vs. Al-Gharafa match
Al-Ittihad is scheduled to host Al-Gharafa on Tuesday evening, February 10th, with kickoff at 9:15 PM. This match comes at a crucial stage of the group stage, as both teams seek to improve their chances of qualifying for the knockout rounds of the continental championship under its new "Elite" format.
The two teams' positions in the standings
Al-Ittihad enters the match in sixth place in their group standings with 9 points, accumulated from their previous victories, while Al-Gharafa of Qatar sits in ninth place with 6 points. This narrow points difference underscores the importance of the match for both sides; a win for Al-Ittihad would solidify their position in the safe zone for qualification to the next round and distance them from any complicated scenarios, while Al-Gharafa aims to close the gap and climb into the qualifying positions.
The importance of the match and the continental context
This encounter takes on special significance given the high level of competition in this season's AFC Champions League, which features the best clubs in Asia. Matches between Saudi and Qatari clubs are always highly anticipated due to their high technical level and intense rivalry. For Al-Ittihad, nicknamed "The Dean," the Asian championship represents a significant historical legacy, having won the title twice consecutively in 2004 and 2005. This year, they aim to reclaim their continental glory and compete strongly for the title.
Public support and its impact
Al-Ittihad Club relies heavily on its strongest weapon: its vast fan base, known for its significant impact on home matches. The decision to offer tickets starting at 10 riyals is a clear message from the administration to ensure the stands are packed. Everyone understands that a large crowd puts positive pressure on the players and negative pressure on the opponents, thus boosting the team's chances of securing the three points and advancing to the final stages.
Sports
Karim Benzema's stance on the Al-Hilal vs. Al-Akhdoud match in the Roshan League
Karim Benzema is confirmed fit to play for Al-Hilal against Al-Akhdoud in matchday 21 of the Roshan League. Find out coach Inzaghi's decision and the match time after the draw with Al-Ahli.

Al-Hilal fans are eagerly awaiting the final decision regarding French star Karim Benzema's availability for the upcoming match against Al-Akhdoud, part of the 21st round of the Saudi Professional League. This crucial match is scheduled for Thursday evening at Prince Hathloul bin Abdulaziz Sports City Stadium, where Al-Hilal will be looking to return to winning ways.
In welcome news for Al-Hilal fans, Karim Benzema has been definitively confirmed fit to participate in the upcoming match against Al-Akhdoud. Recent tests and training sessions have demonstrated that the player is in peak physical and technical condition, making him a valuable asset for the team's coaching staff at this crucial stage of the season. Fans are counting heavily on his international experience to secure victories in such matches.
For his part, coach Simone Inzaghi is carefully considering his tactical options. He will decide within the next few hours whether to include Benzema in the starting lineup or keep him as a valuable substitute, based on his assessment of the match situation and the player's ability to contribute effectively throughout the ninety minutes, especially given the high tempo of the games.
This match takes on added importance for Al-Hilal, especially after their disappointing draw in the last match against their arch-rivals Al-Ahli in the twentieth round, which was held at Al-Hilal's home ground, the Kingdom Arena. The team seeks to overcome the setback of the derby and appease their fans by returning with three points from Najran, to ensure they remain strongly in contention for the league title.
This match comes amidst fierce competition in the Roshan Professional League this season, which has garnered global attention thanks to attracting some of the biggest names in football. The big clubs understand that away matches against teams like Al-Akhdoud, who have the advantage of playing at home, are often crucial in the title race, placing added pressure on the players and coaches to secure a victory and avoid any surprises that could derail the team's progress.
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