New signings to impact 2024-25 RSL campaign

The 2024-25 Roshn Saudi League is only a couple of days away, as excitement builds right across the country and beyond the Kingdom’s borders ahead of the new campaign.

Clubs, meanwhile, have long been busy putting together their squads in anticipation of Thursday’s big kick-off, with an abundance of high-profile imports signing on the dotted line to sample Saudi top-flight football for the first time.

Among the most active have been 2022-23 RSL champions Al Ittihad and promoted side Al Qadsiah but, with almost another two weeks of the summer transfer window to run, expect even more talented players to make the move to the Kingdom.

To mark the new season, though, we’ve selected some of the RSL debutants that are already ready for action – and who appear poised to make a significant impact on their latest clubs.

Nacho (Al Qadsiah)

The newly promoted club made a major statement with the acquisition of Real Madrid captain Nacho. The vastly experienced Spain defender, who spent his entire career at the Santiago Bernabeu, arrived in Al Khobar as a freshly anointed UEFA Champions League winner and UEFA European Championship gold medallist having triumphed in the past few months with club and country.

Not sure Nacho would’ve brought his heaving trophy cabinet with him, though: of his 26 titles with Madrid, there are six UEFA Champions Leagues, five FIFA Club World Cups and four La Liga crowns. Without doubt, however, Nacho will bring plenty of knowhow and nous to the RSL new boys.

Moussa Diaby (Al Ittihad)

Keen to make up for last season’s disappointing RSL title defence, Al Ittihad bolstered their ranks with one of the most exciting players they could. At age 25, Diaby opted to trade the English Premier League for the Saudi top flight after only one season at Aston Villa - that despite having excelled during his debut campaign with six goals and eight assists.

The winger’s form played a key role in the Birmingham club finishing fourth in England’s top tier and thus qualifying for the UEFA Champions League. Since joining Al Ittihad, Diaby has wasted no time in showing his ability: he has scored in multiple friendlies and seemingly settled seamlessly. Expect captain Karim Benzema, in particular, to prosper from his fellow Frenchman’s presence.

Bento (Al Nassr)

OK, so the Brazilian endured a difficult night in last weekend’s Saudi Super Cup final – he was especially culpable for Al Hilal’s fourth – but do not let that overshadow what a promising signing he is. Also aged 25, Bento is already a Brazil international, tipped for the big time after coming through the Athletico Paranaense youth academy.

He made his senior-team debut in 2020 before establishing himself as the club’s No.1 for the past two seasons. Super Cup aside, Bento should provide Al Nassr with a real presence behind the defence - and will most certainly be looking to rival the likes of Al Hilal’s Yassine Bono and Al Ahli’s Edouard Mendy for 2024-25 RSL Goalkeeper of the Season.

Giacomo Bonaventura (Al Shabab)

Losing a midfielder of Ivan Rakitic’s pedigree would be tough for any club to absorb, but Al Shabab have recruited an astute replacement. Bonaventura comes into the Riyadh side with a wealth of experience in Italy’s Serie A, beginning his senior career with Atalanta in 2007 before going on to represent AC Milan for six years.

Able to play in the middle of the park or out wide, Bonaventura featured for Fiorentina since 2020, helping the club to two runner-up finishes in the UEFA Europa Conference League – including last season. Marrying an excellence work rate with great vision, the Italian promises to be a fine fit for Al Shabab.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Al Qadsiah)

Even with all the impressive signings made by the Al Khobar outfit, it’s almost impossible to look past the Gabon international. Aubameyang’s CV speaks for itself: he’s represented clubs of the stature of Saint Etienne, Borussia Dortmund, Arsenal, Barcelona, Chelsea and Olympique de Marseille, and during his time in Germany he was one of the world’s most-feared forwards.

Granted, Aubameyang turned 35 this summer, but he lands in the RSL having struck 17 times in 34 Ligue 1 appearances last season. Expect the "showman" striker to thrive in a new-look and revamped Al Qadsiah, who quite clearly have their hearts and minds set on making an impact upon their RSL return.

Marek Rodak (Al Ettifaq)

While Al Ettifaq have not been incredibly busy in bolstering their foreign contingent, as of yet, they moved swiftly to replace the outgoing Paulo Victor with a goalkeeper they believe can have as much – if not more – of an effect. Rodak spent more than the past decade as a player for English Premier League club Fulham, when initially he was loaned out to other teams.

He debuted in the Premier League in 2020 and was a crucial cog in Fulham’s successful promotion back into the top flight the following season. A Slovakia international, Rodak was part of his national team’s squad at this summer’s UEFA European Championship Germany 2024. Could he be the rock for Al Ettifaq to build upon again this season?

Houssem Aouar (Al Ittihad)

Al Ittihad’s summer spend really kicked into gear with the signing of the influential Algerian international in mid-July. Aouar’s ability has been known for some time, with the French-born playmaker coming through the ranks at Olympique Lyon and then being integral to his side who the 2019-20 UEFA Champions League semi-finals. Deservedly, he was named in that season's Team of the Tournament.

Aouar transferred to AS Roma last summer following seven years with Lyon's first team, and went on to score four times in 25 appearances for the Serie A club. Able to play in a variety of position in midfield, he is primed to add the creative spark in an Al Ittihad midfield that boasts N’Golo Kante and Fabinho. It’s a fearsome trio, all right.

Ezequiel Fernandez (Al Qadsiah)

It says it all about the young Argentine’s ability that Al Qadsiah apparently trumped the likes of English Premier League side Arsenal in recruiting Fernandez. Then of the legendary Boca Juniors, the precocious midfielder showcased his capabilities at last month’s Paris Olympics, scoring in the win against Iraq and underlining his comfort on the grand stage.

A supreme ball-winner, Fernandez is technically gifted also, a master at resisting the opposition press and playing penetrating passes. With Uruguayan Nahitan Nandez in the engine room alongside or just behind, Al Qadsiah have the makings of a formidable midfield.

Oh, and the best thing about Fernandez? He’s only 22. The feeling is that there is so much to come from the talented tyro.