Winter signing to bolster defenses
Al-Shabab FC officially announced the signing of right-back Fawaz Al-Saqour from Al-Ittihad FC, bolstering their squad during the 2023-2024 winter transfer window. The club confirmed the deal via their official X account (formerly Twitter), stating that Al-Saqour will join the "White Lions" on a permanent contract to strengthen the team's right flank.
This deal comes at the close of the winter transfer window in the Saudi Professional League, which saw significant activity among clubs as they sought to strengthen their squads in preparation for the crucial final stages of the season. Al-Saqour's transfer is considered one of the most prominent domestic deals, given that he is coming from last season's league champions.
The player's background and his importance to Al Shabab club
Fawaz Al-Saqour (28 years old) is considered one of the most prominent right-backs in Saudi football. He started his football career with Najran Club before moving to Al-Wahda Club, where he excelled, attracting the attention of major clubs and joining Al-Ittihad in 2020. During his time with Al-Ittihad, Al-Saqour contributed to the team winning the Saudi Professional League title in the 2022-2023 season, and was distinguished by his balanced performance between defensive duties and offensive contributions.
For Al Shabab, signing Al-Saqour represents a significant addition and brings considerable experience to a defense that struggled during the first half of the season. The club's management aims to restore stability to the team and improve its performance in both the league and cup competitions through this acquisition, with Al-Saqour expected to quickly secure a place in coach Igor Pescan's starting lineup.
The expected impact of the deal on both teams
Domestically, this move is seen as a direct boost to Al Shabab's ambitions of competing for a top spot in the league standings. Acquiring a player with Al Saqour's championship-winning experience provides the team with a significant morale and technical boost. As for Al Ittihad, Al Saqour's departure may be part of a new tactical vision by Argentine coach Marcelo Gallardo, who might prefer to rely on other options in that position or seek to restructure the team to align with his future plans. This transfer reflects the high dynamism of the Saudi Professional League, where major clubs are no longer hesitant to make significant changes to their rosters in an effort to maintain their high competitiveness, given the presence of a constellation of international and local stars.
