Wijnaldum back in RSL with Al Ittihad - and other deadline day deals
Georginio Wijnaldum is back in the Roshn Saudi League, with the former Al Ettifaq captain arguably the headline deal to go through on a busy final day of the 2026-27 Roshn Saudi League summer transfer window.
The ex-Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain midfielder, who left Al Ettifaq in July as a free agent, was announced as Al Ittihad’s new signing late on Sunday. He has agreed to an initial one-year deal.
Wijnaldum, 35, shone during three seasons at Al Ettifaq, scoring 36 goals and registering 16 assists from 96 RSL appearances. Last season was the high point, with Wijnaldum - a keen photographer, don’t you know? - bagging 16 goals and seven assists.
Other notable final-day moves included Al Ahli bringing in French midfielder Ibrahima Diaby from Cercle Brugge, while the back-to-back Asian champions also added right-back Saeed Baattiah from Al Fateh and loaned forward Ricardo Mathias to Al Shabab.
RSL champions Al Nassr, meanwhile, allowed midfielder Ali Al Hassan to leave to Al Fateh and also loaned Saudi Arabian starlet Abdulmailk Al Jaber to Al Qadsiah. In Al Khobar, Al Jaber will join Mali-born Frenchman Mahamadou Sangare after the 19-year-old midfielder made the move from Manchester City.
That particular route proved a popular one this summer, following Tijjani Reijnders' high-profile transfer last month from the English Premier League giants.
Elsewhere, Al Ettifaq announced the signing of two centre-backs: Brazilian Pedro Henrique, from RB Bragantino in Argentina, and Marzouq Tambakti from Al Riyadh. Midfielders Abdulelah Hawsawi and Riyadh Sharahili were loaned, from Al Ittihad and NEOM Sports Club respectively, while Fares Al Ghamdi moved to Al Taawoun and Awad Dahal to Al Riyadh.
There were also deals for the likes of Abha - the newly promoted club have loaned 20-year-old midfielder Mateo Borrell from Al Ittihad and Ammar Al Yuhaibi, also 20, from Al Qadsiah – and Al Khaleej, who bolstered their ranks with a trio of loan signings.
In came young Argentine centre-forward Mateo Benegas from Ferro, right-back Fawaz Al Soqour from Al Ittihad and winger Fahad Al Rashidi from Al Taawoun.
