Young French striker Georges Ellienkina , Al-Ittihad's latest summer signing, revealed the details behind his decision to join the club, confirming that a particular player played a pivotal role in convincing him to take this important step in his career. Ellienkina expressed his immense happiness at the warm welcome he received upon arriving in Jeddah, praising the positive atmosphere within the club.
In a video released by Al-Ittihad's media center, Ilyinichna said: “Thank you so much for the warm welcome. Everything was excellent, and I was received wonderfully, both in the locker room and with the players and the coach, so I am very happy.” He added, revealing the main factor in his decision: “I spoke a lot with Mamadou Doumbia before coming here. He explained the project, the playing style, the coach, and how things work. All of that convinced me to come here, and I am happy with my choice.”
A past relationship shapes the future of Al-Ittihad's attack
The French striker explained that his relationship with Doumbia wasn't a recent development, but rather stemmed from their time together in European football. He said, "I have a very good relationship with him. We played together at Royal Antwerp in Belgium a year before he came here and before I moved to Monaco. Honestly, he only spoke highly of the club. I asked him a lot of questions, and he was very frank with me, confirming that the club is excellent, the project is strong, and the coach has faith in young players. That's what convinced me to come.".
Context of the deal: A new strategy in the Saudi League
Al-Ittihad's signing of rising star Elinikna comes within the context of a strategic shift in the Saudi Professional League. Following a wave of signings of major international stars, top clubs like Al-Ittihad, backed by the Public Investment Fund, have begun balancing experience with future prospects by attracting promising young talents from European leagues. This move aims to ensure the sustainability of competition and raise the technical quality of the league in the long term, transforming it into an attractive destination for top talent across all age groups.
The importance of the deal and its expected impact
Domestically, Ilyinichna's arrival represents a significant boost to the team's attack, especially following the departure of veteran French star Karim Benzema. He is expected to provide fresh attacking options thanks to his speed and finishing ability, thus offering the team diverse tactical choices. Internationally, the transfer of a young player with Ilyinichna's talent from a major European club like Monaco to the Saudi league is a strong indicator of the competition's growing reputation and its ability to convince players that it is not merely a final stop in their careers, but a genuine platform for development and competition at the highest levels.
