Al-Zawraa president settles the debate and confirms Haider Abdul-Karim's transfer to Al-Nasr is complete
In a move that underscores the deep sporting ties between Iraq and Saudi Arabia, Iraqi club Al-Zawraa has put an end to the speculation surrounding the future of its player Haider Abdulkarim, confirming the completion of his transfer to Saudi club Al-Nassr. In official statements, Al-Zawraa president Haider Shanshul revealed that the player's international transfer certificate would be sent to Al-Nassr's management this evening, thus closing the chapter on the media speculation that had surrounded the deal in recent days.
Background of the transition and its historical context
This deal comes within a rich history of sporting exchanges between Iraqi and Saudi clubs, as Gulf leagues, particularly the Saudi Professional League, have long been a prominent destination for Iraqi stars. Al-Zawraa, one of Iraq's oldest clubs and record holders for the most domestic league titles, is a veritable goldmine of talent that has enriched Arab football. Meanwhile, Al-Nassr, a powerhouse of Saudi football, continues its policy of bolstering its squad with top Arab and international players, aiming to compete strongly at all levels, both domestically and continentally.
Denying rumors and affirming the strength of relations
Shanshul emphasized that all financial and legal procedures between the two clubs were completed smoothly, praising the high level of professionalism demonstrated by Al-Nassr's management. The Al-Zawraa president categorically denied media reports alleging stalling tactics on his club's part due to disagreements over the transfer fee or delays in receiving payments. He described these reports as "false and baseless," affirming that "financial matters will not hinder the strong Saudi-Iraqi relations," which extend to all Saudi clubs.
Importance and expected impact of the deal
Haider Abdulkarim's move to the Saudi Professional League represents a significant step in his professional career, as he embarks on a new challenge in one of the strongest leagues in Asia, a league currently experiencing a qualitative leap by attracting international stars. This transfer is expected to contribute to raising the player's technical and physical level, which will benefit the Iraqi national team in the future. For Al-Nassr, signing Abdulkarim is a valuable addition to strengthen the team's options, while for Iraqi football, it represents further confirmation of the quality of its talent and its ability to compete in major leagues.
Trip details and final arrangements
Regarding the final arrangements for the player's travel, the president of Al-Zawraa Club explained that the player's agent accompanied him to Riyadh to finalize all financial arrangements and help him settle in psychologically before officially joining his new team's training sessions. He indicated that the financial details of the contract and the player's monthly salary remain confidential between the two clubs' administrations only, to maintain the secrecy of the deal. With the issuance of his international transfer certificate, Haider Abdulkarim will be eligible to officially participate with Al-Zawraa in his new professional adventure.
