European clubs chase Saudi stars
The saga of European clubs chasing standout players in the Saudi Pro League continues, following attempts—some successful—to bring foreign talents from Saudi clubs back to the old continent. This time, it isn’t only about stars who shone for a season or more; just weeks into the league’s early stages, European temptations began to rise. Global press reports suggest Manchester United are keen to sign one of Saudi football’s brightest performers this season.
The case centers on Italian Matteo Ritigi, last season’s Serie A top scorer and now a key figure for Al Qadsiah, seen as an ideal replacement for the departure of Gabonese star Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who is now with Marseille. Fichajes notes that Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim is keen to land a new prolific scorer and is reportedly prepared to spend up to £52 million to sign the 26-year-old.
Al Qadsiah signed Ritigi from Atalanta last summer in a deal reportedly around £59 million, meaning the Saudi club would likely entertain a sale for a slightly lower price if United comes calling. Ritigi did not need long to settle into Saudi football, scoring 3 goals in 5 appearances for the Knights.
Italian flare and a wave of interest
Earlier this summer, European clubs again showed strong interest in Saudi Roshan stars. Fiorentina reportedly pursued Ivory Coast midfielder Franck Kessi of Al Ahli, who had previously played under Fiorentina’s current coach Stefano Pioli during their Milan days. There were also whispers about English striker Ivan Toney of Al Ahli being courted by Chelsea, though no formal moves materialized. Additionally, Eki Fernandez moved from Al Qadsiah to Bayer Leverkusen after only one season in Saudi Arabia. Notably, Karim Benzema, then with Al Ittihad, was said to be on major clubs’ radar, with Benfica and Fenerbahçe among those linked, alongside other European giants.
Ritigi is hailed as an excellent ambassador for Italian football in Saudi arenas, quickly proving himself and showcasing his scoring flair across different leagues. The Saudi league welcomed Ritigi amid announcements that the 25- or 26-year-old would be moving from Atalanta in a deal described as one of the league’s bigger Italian signings in recent seasons. His arrival has rekindled memories of past Italian protagonists who shone in Saudi football.
A storied Italian thread in Saudi football
The Italian thread began with Roberto Donadoni, who, according to the Saudi sports daily, was the first Italian to move to the Saudi League, joining Al Ittihad in 1999 on a free transfer after his Milan contract ended. In his lone season, Donadoni helped Al Ittihad win the league, featuring in 16 games and contributing 4 assists. After that season, he announced his retirement at 36, closing a remarkable chapter in Saudi football history.
A generation later, Al Ittihad signed Italian midfielder Michele Gilsi from Ravenna in January 2002. Gilsi lasted only half a season with the club and subsequently moved to Livorno, but left on a high note, having helped the club win both the league and the Crown Prince Cup during his brief spell, with 1 goal and 1 assist in 17 matches.
Another Italian, Gennaro Rotolo of Livorno, joined Al Ittihad in January 2003 for a partial season; Rotolo also helped the team claim the league title, featuring in 4 matches and recording 1 assist. Nearly two decades later, Al Ittihad again turned to Italian players, signing defender Luiz Felipe from Real Betis for €22 million in the summer of 2023. Felipe played 28 matches across 1.5 seasons before moving to Marseille in January of the following year.
In terms of the most successful Italian in the Saudi league, Sebastien Giovinco takes the top spot. The former Juventus star joined Al Hilal from Toronto in January 2019, spending two and a half seasons with the club in 83 appearances, 16 goals, and 19 assists. Giovinco helped Hilal win the league twice, along with the King’s Cup and the AFC Champions League.
Enduring connections and a youthful finale
The latest Italian signing in the Saudi league, Giorgio Bonaventura, joined Al Shabab from Fiorentina last summer. The midfielder played 33 matches across all competitions, netting 4 goals and providing 3 assists before leaving this summer. The narrative of Italian influence in Saudi football remains vibrant, a reminder of how cross-border moves can shape leagues for years to come.
