Al-Qadisiyah FC, recently promoted back to the Saudi Professional League, officially announced the signing of international defender Waleed Al-Ahmad in a strategic move aimed at strengthening the team's ranks before the start of the new season. The club's official social media accounts posted photos from the signing ceremony, which took place at the club's headquarters in Al-Khobar, confirming that the contract with the player extends for five years, until the summer of 2029.
Background and general context of the deal
This signing comes as part of an ambitious project spearheaded by Al-Qadisiyah Club following its acquisition by Saudi Aramco, which has provided the club with significant financial resources to build a team capable of competing strongly in the top league. The signing of a player of Waleed Al-Ahmad's caliber, at 26 years old, reflects the management's vision of attracting top local talent alongside anticipated high-quality foreign signings. The club was represented at the signing ceremony by CEO James Besgrove, underscoring the great importance the management places on this deal as a cornerstone of the team's future.
The player's career and expected impact
Waleed Al-Ahmad joined Al-Taawoun during the summer transfer window of the 2023/2024 season, arriving from Al-Faisaly. He quickly established himself as one of the best defenders in the league. During his season with Al-Taawoun, Al-Ahmad delivered a remarkable performance, participating in 17 league matches and scoring 4 goals – an impressive scoring rate for a defender – in 1537 minutes of play. This strong performance not only made him a key player in Al-Taawoun's lineup but also earned him a recall to the Saudi national team, further enhancing the value of the transfer.
The strategic importance of Al-Qadisiyah and the Roshan League
Domestically, Al-Ahmad's move to Al-Qadsia sends a clear message from the club's management that their ambition extends beyond simply remaining in the professional league; they aspire to compete for top positions. Strengthening the defense with an experienced and high-quality international player is the cornerstone of building a balanced team. At the Roshan League level, this deal intensifies competition among clubs and confirms that purchasing power is no longer the sole domain of sovereign wealth fund clubs. Clubs owned by major corporations, such as Al-Qadsia, have become key players in the transfer market, enriching the competition and increasing its regional and international appeal.
