JEDDAH — Georginio Wijnaldum has joined Al Ittihad on an initial one-year contract, returning to the Roshn Saudi League after leaving Al Ettifaq earlier this summer.
The former Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain midfielder was announced late Sunday as one of the headline signings on a busy final day of the 2026-27 summer transfer window.
Wijnaldum, 35, spent three seasons at Al Ettifaq, where he established himself as a key figure and club captain before departing as a free agent in July.
The Netherlands international scored 36 goals and provided 16 assists in 96 RSL appearances for the Dammam club. His most productive campaign came last season, when he recorded 16 goals and seven assists.
He now joins Al Ittihad, the 2024-25 Saudi champions, as the Jeddah club strengthens its midfield for the new campaign.
Al Ahli add three players
Across Jeddah, Al Ahli completed the signing of French midfielder Ibrahima Diaby from Belgian side Cercle Brugge and brought in right-back Saeed Baattiah from Al Fateh.
The back-to-back AFC Champions League Elite winners also loaned forward Ricardo Mathias to Al Shabab.
Al Qadsiah recruit from Manchester City
Al Qadsiah added two midfielders, signing 19-year-old Mahamadou Sangare from Manchester City and taking Saudi youngster Abdulmalik Al Jaber on loan from Al Nassr.
Sangare follows Tijjani Reijnders in making the move from Manchester City to Al Qadsiah this summer, giving the Al Khobar club further options in midfield.
Al Nassr also allowed midfielder Ali Al Hassan to join Al Fateh.
Al Ettifaq reshape squad
Al Ettifaq were among the busiest clubs on deadline day, adding centre-backs Pedro Henrique from RB Bragantino and Marzouq Tambakti from Al Riyadh.
The Dammam club also secured loan deals for midfielders Abdulelah Hawsawi from Al Ittihad and Riyadh Sharahili from NEOM Sports Club.
Fares Al Ghamdi moved to Al Taawoun, while Awad Dahal joined Al Riyadh.
Abha and Al Khaleej strengthen
Newly promoted Abha brought in two 20-year-old midfielders on loan, signing Mateo Borrell from Al Ittihad and Ammar Al Yuhaibi from Al Qadsiah.
Al Khaleej also completed three loan deals, adding Argentine forward Mateo Benegas from Ferro, right-back Fawaz Al Soqour from Al Ittihad and winger Fahad Al Rashidi from Al Taawoun.
The late activity capped a summer of significant squad changes across the RSL, with clubs reinforcing their ranks ahead of the remainder of the 2026-27 campaign.
Source: Saudi Gazette