Villarreal among clubs to sign Saudi Arabia players

Key steps to grow soccer in Saudi

BARCELONA, Jan 22, (Agencies): Spanish top flight clubs Villarreal, Leganes and Levante all announced on Sunday loan signings of Saudi Arabia internationals until the end of the season as part of an agreement between La Liga and the Arab state’s authorities.

Second-tier sides Sporting Gijon, Numancia, Rayo Vallecano and Real Valladolid also participated in the deal, with a statement from the league’s organising body saying a total of nine players would move to Spain, including two academy players.

Saudi Arabia will play the opening game of the 2018 World Cup against hosts Russia after qualifying for the tournament for the first time since 2006.

“The General Sports Authority (GSA) of Saudi Arabia, the Saudi Arabian Football federation (SAFF) and La Liga, the internationally renowned Spanish football league, today announced key next steps in their partnership to grow the game of football in Saudi Arabia,” said a statement from La Liga.

“First announced in October, the multi-year partnership has multiple elements including an academy partnership and a talent scouting initiative for young footballers in Saudi Arabia.

Villarreal’s midfielder Rodrigo Hernandez (left), vies with Levante’s midfielder Jose Luis Morales during the Spanish League football match between Villarreal CF and Levante UD at La Ceramica Stadium in

Vila-real on Jan 20. (AFP)

“These loan agreements, for an initial period of six months, allow these players to further develop their skills training and playing in Spain.

“The incorporation of players from Saudi Arabia in the Spanish clubs follows a rigorous scouting programme that spanned multiple months to identify the best talent.”

Before the loan signings were announced on Sunday, the vast majority of Saudi Arabia’s international players competed in the country’s top flight. Only one player, Mukhtar Ali, plays abroad with Dutch top flight side Vitesse Arnhem.

Villarreal, who are fifth in the Liga standings and in the last 32 of the Europa League, brought in midfielder Salem Al Dawsari, while Leganes signed forward Yahia AlShehri. Levante signed Fahad Al-Muwallad.

“As part of this collaboration, our club in the past few months has worked alongside La Liga in scouting Saudi international footballers and youth prospects to determine the choice of our new signing,” said a statement from Levante.

“With the arrival of Fahad Al-Muwallad we sign a player that will help gain visibility in the Arab world, where La Liga is the most followed international league.”

Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga on Monday signed a new long-term contract to keep him at San Mames and end the speculation linking him with a move to Real Madrid.

The Basque club announced in a statement that Kepa had agreed a new seven-year deal to run until June 2025.

The 23-year-old Spain international’s contract includes an 80 million-euro ($98 million) buyout clause, hiked up enormously from the previous 20 million euros.

His existing deal had been due to expire at the end of the current campaign and it was thought that Real might move to sign him this month.

“There have been proposals but I believe the best thing for me is to stay at Athletic for a long time,” Kepa told Basque media.

It had even been announced a fortnight ago that Kepa had passed a medical at the Santiago Bernabeu.