Al Qadsiah add Serie A top scorer Retegui

The 2025-26 Roshn Saudi League will feature the top scorer from last season’s Serie A after Al Qadsiah completed the star signing of Mateo Retegui from Atalanta.

The Al Khobar club, fourth last term, announced the exciting recruit's arrival on Monday on a four-year contract as they prepare to make an even bigger statement in the top flight this coming campaign.

Speaking to Al Qadsiah’s official media channel at their pre-season camp in the Netherlands, Retegui said: “I’m very happy; this is something I truly wanted because I’m eager to get to know the team, the coach, and everyone working here.

“It’s a big step for me, and I’m ready to give my best. I spoke with the coach about the quality of the players here – the expectations are high, and the team has a great mentality.

“I hope to be one of the reasons the Al Qadsiah fans are happy this season. I’m ready for this moment, full of energy and determination to help the team.

"I’ll give everything I have, and with my teammates, I believe we can achieve great things. I hope to score many goals and bring joy to everyone around.”

Retegui, 26, comes to the RSL off the back of an incredible 2024-25 in which he scored 25 goals in 36 Serie A appearances to fire Atalanta to third in Italy’s lead division. He had joined the club the previous summer, from Genoa.

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Born in Argentina but representing Italy, Retegui debuted for the Azzurri in 2023, finding the net in a 2-1 defeat to England. Thus far, he has six goals in 20 caps for his country.

At Al Qadsiah, the forward will look to fill the void left by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who departed the club last week.

In his only season in the RSL, the former Arsenal, Barcelona and Chelsea frontman scored 17 goals in 32 appearances and struck up the league’s most potent strike partnership alongside Mexico’s Julian Quinones.