In a move that has garnered significant attention in Saudi sports circles, Al-Nassr FC officially announced the signing of Saudi national team star and prominent striker, Captain Abdullah Al-Hamdan, on a free transfer from their arch-rivals, Al-Hilal FC. The contract is for two and a half seasons, and Al-Hamdan will represent Al-Nassr after all financial and contractual details were finalized during the current winter transfer window.
Background to the deal and the historical rivalry:
This deal is particularly significant as it involves the two Riyadh giants, Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal, whose historic and fierce rivalry is known as the "Riyadh Derby." Direct player transfers between these two clubs are rare in Saudi football, making Al-Hamdan's move an exceptional event that adds a new chapter of excitement to their rivalry. This transfer comes at a time when the Saudi Professional League is experiencing a qualitative leap in attracting international stars and fierce competition for the title, prompting major clubs to bolster their squads with the best available local talent.
The importance of the deal for Al-Nassr club and its expected impact:
The signing of Abdullah Al-Hamdan, who began his career at Al-Shabab before moving to Al-Hilal and winning numerous titles with them, represents a significant boost to Al-Nassr's attack. Through this acquisition, Al-Nassr aims to deepen its attacking options and provide strategic alternatives alongside global stars Cristiano Ronaldo and Sadio Mane. Al-Hamdan's goal-scoring prowess and playmaking skills are expected to offer the manager greater tactical flexibility and strengthen the team's competitive edge in all domestic and continental competitions, most notably the Saudi Professional League and the AFC Champions League.
Official club statement and team preparations:
Al-Nassr FC confirmed the news in an official statement published on its X platform account, which read: “Al-Nassr FC has officially signed a contract with Saudi national team star, Captain Abdullah Al-Hamdan, in a free transfer deal, after agreeing on all financial and contractual details.” This announcement comes at a crucial time as Al-Nassr prepares for a highly anticipated match against Al-Ittihad FC in the 21st round of the Saudi Professional League, to be held at Al-Awwal Park Stadium. Al-Nassr fans are hoping that Al-Hamdan will provide an immediate boost to the team.
