Darwin, Millot, Boulbina: Historic Diriyah Club put trio at front of vision for future

First impressions matter, and when visitors walk through historic Diriyah, they are immediately struck by its rich history and beauty; a culturally significant intersection where old meets new, and history meets ambition.

And now its football club, as a reflection of that past and vision for the future, are hoping to make a similar first impression in their debut season in the Roshn Saudi League. 

Fittingly, Diriyah Club have assembled a star-studded attacking trio to help them do just that.

As the saying goes, you only get one chance to make a first impression, and the newly promoted side are hellbent on maximising theirs: in a flash last week, they confirmed three major recruits that could completely re-shape their 2026-27 campaign - and the context of the league with it.

First came Frenchman Enzo Millot on loan from Al Ahli, fresh off helping the Jeddah giants to a Saudi Super Cup and a second successive AFC Champions League Elite crown. 

Then, Algeria international Adil Boulbina, who featured for the North Africans at this summer’s 2026 FIFA World Cup, landed from Qatari side Al Duhail, where he scored 12 goals in 30 games. Incidentally, that included a hat-trick against Al Ittihad in last season’s AFC Champions League Elite.

Then, finally, Diriyah Club bagged the big one: Darwin Nunez from Al Hilal, like Millot on loan. While the Uruguay striker’s time with the capital club perhaps didn’t go as planned – he still managed nine goals in 24 appearances across all competitions - that will serve only as fuel to prove himself at his new home; and, even, show his permanent employers what they’re missing.

Let’s not forget, Nunez played a role in helping Liverpool reign supreme in the English Premier League 18 months ago and, prior to the move to Saudi, reportedly had some of Europe’s heavyweight clubs after him. If he gets anywhere near his best, the rest of the RSL better watch out. 

Crucially, Nunez has a manager fully aware of his talents.

While Bruno Lage has never previously worked with the forward - his couple of stints at Benfica came either side of Nunez’s two years in Lisbon - given both are significant figures in the recent history of the Portuguese giants, Lage will know only too well how to play to his strengths.

In fact, one of Lage’s assistants at Benfica, Nelson Veríssimo, replaced him during the most explosive campaign of Nunez's career, when he plundered 26 goals in 28 games.

We only have to look back at last year with the rehabilitation of Joao Felix at Al Nassr under Jorge Jesus to know how potent it can be when a player, perhaps playing below their best, teams up with a manager able to unlock their true potential.

But it isn’t just all about Nunez; it’s the attacking triumvirate he creates with Millot and Boulbina - and the statement of intent from Diriyah Club as they embark on a new era.

Each brings something unique to the table that, when combined, should produce a dynamism to the team's attack. That is, when they click, it'll will cause problems for defences across the league.

Nunez isn’t your prototypical No.9 who likes the ball to feet in and around the area. He is at his most explosive when he’s exploiting space, either between defenders or behind them.

Crucially, Millot is the type of attacking midfielder comfortable in those half spaces between the lines, inviting pressure before releasing a pass behind the defence, which seems perfectly suited for Nunez.

Then there’s Boulbina, a right-footed left-winger, who's more than merely a wideman in attack delivering crosses. His style is to take on the full-back, which then creates its own issue for any opposition defence. If the central defender moves to support, it leaves space for Nunez in behind. If he doesn’t, it leaves space for Nunez in between.

Put together, this is the potential for Diriyah Club this season, although it won’t happen overnight. The three new additions have only just walked through the door, so they'll likely need some time togther  on the training pitch to develop fully their relationship. 

That much was evident when all three debuted on Wednesday night, in Diriyah Club's 1-1 draw at home to Al Kholood. 

Nunez and Millot each managed only one shot, Boulbina two. Understandably, they're a work in progress.

Yet, once this exciting trio is truly up and running, Diriyah Club could well make their first impression on the RSL one to remember.