Al-Qadisiyah FC, leaders of the Saudi First Division League, officially announced the completion of the transfer of Saudi international defender Waleed Al-Ahmad from Al-Taawoun FC. The club's official social media accounts posted photos from the signing ceremony on Wednesday, confirming that the player signed a five-year contract, keeping him with the team until 2029.
The signing ceremony took place at the club's headquarters in Al-Khobar, in the presence of the CEO, James Besgrove, who represented the club's management in completing this important deal, which comes as part of the club's plan to strengthen its ranks in preparation for the next stage and the anticipated promotion to the Saudi Professional League.
Background of the deal and the player's career
This transfer comes as a strategic move for Al-Qadisiyah, a club experiencing an exceptional period following its acquisition by Aramco, which has provided it with significant investment power aimed at building a team capable of competing at the highest levels. The signing of Waleed Al-Ahmad (26 years old) is clear evidence of the club's ambitious goals, as Al-Ahmad is considered one of the most prominent defenders currently in the Saudi league.
Al-Ahmad joined Al-Taawoun in the summer of 2023 from Al-Faisaly, quickly establishing himself as a key player in the team's defense. This season, the international defender has featured in 17 matches for Al-Taawoun, scoring four goals – an impressive tally for a defender – reflecting his set-piece abilities and attacking contributions. He has accumulated 1,537 minutes of playing time.
Importance and expected impact of the deal
At the local level: Waleed Al-Ahmad's signing represents a significant and valuable addition to Al-Qadisiyah's defense. He brings extensive experience in the Saudi Professional League, gained with Al-Faisaly and Al-Taawoun, in addition to his international experience with the Saudi national team. He is expected to contribute directly to securing the team's defense during the crucial stages of the Yellow League, and more importantly, he will be a key pillar in the squad as they aim for promotion to the Roshan League to face Saudi Arabia's elite clubs.
At the regional level: This deal reflects the major transformation taking place in the sports sector in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia within the framework of Vision 2030. The major recruitment is no longer limited to the top clubs in the Roshan League only, but has extended to include ambitious first division clubs, which raises the level of competition and makes the Saudi League at all levels more attractive to talents and stars, and enhances its position as one of the strongest leagues in the region.
