Defense Reinvented: Yusuf Akcicik Arrives to Fortify Al Hilal’s Blue Fortress
10 October 2025
A New Shield for Al Hilal
Turkish defender Yusuf Akcicik, a new pillar for Al Hilal, praised the professional standard he sensed inside the club since joining in the summer transfer window. The environment at the Saudi powerhouse is described as ideal, with every detail carefully planned, reflecting the scale of work and organization at the club.
He noted that the professionalism at Al Hilal left a strong impression; the environment is flawless, every detail accounted for, and the coaching staff led by Simone Inzaghi is a tactically sharp mind who emphasizes video analysis and precise opponent briefs before training sessions.
The young Turk also cited several defensive figures as role models, including Ramos, Thiago Silva, and Skriniar, expressing a wish to emulate them in due course.
A Promising Backline Duo
The Portuguese coach Jose Mourinho’s backing was also mentioned, with assurances that, even if not always in the starting XI, he remained a constant voice, encouraging patience and offering praise.
Al Hilal officially announced the signing of Akcicik from Fenerbahce to bolster the team’s backline for the upcoming season, posting a presentation video with the caption that translates to a new shield in the Al Hilal ranks.
At 22, Akcicik spent last season with Fenerbahce, recording 21 appearances, two goals, and one assist, emerging as a rising defensive talent in European football.
A Boost Before the Ettifaq Clash
Akcicik described Al Hilal as one of the strongest clubs in the world, a team he knew well before joining and one that is big and world-renowned. Inzaghi’s aim is to form a solid central pairing that blends experience and strength with tactical intelligence, fit to complement the attacking emphasis on the full-backs Cancelo and Hernandez and to ensure robust defensive balance.
The club also received a morale boost ahead of the upcoming league clash with Al Ettifaq, with the return of foreign duo Darwin Nunez and Brazilian Malcom Felipe. Malcom is deemed technically ready for the match after recovering from a foot-related issue sustained in the derby with Al Ahli, and has previously logged 102 appearances for Al Hilal, scoring 40 goals and providing 33 assists, with a market value around €22 million.
In their latest outing against Al Ahli, Malcom reportedly impressed by scoring twice and assisting Theo Hernandez, with a SofaScore rating of 9.4—the highest among all players for that game due to precise passing and decisive contributions.
Meanwhile, Nunez’s readiness for the Ettifaq game was confirmed after a knee issue seen in training, leaving him able to participate in the match. Nunez joined Al Hilal this past summer from Liverpool, having featured in four games, scoring two goals and adding one assist.
Two punchlines to close: If defense were a sniper, Akcicik would be headlining every clean sheet—every shot a precise headshot on the attack. And if patience were a weapon, Mourinho just filed a direct download, because the wait for this backline upgrade is now officially over.
