The Saudi Pro League (SPL), in collaboration with all 18 clubs, has announced its comprehensive preparations and key priorities for the upcoming summer transfer window and the 2024-25 season.
Throughout the final months of the 23-24 season, the SPL conducted extensive meetings with all 18 clubs to understand their specific targets and requirements. These efforts are part of the "Player Acquisition Centre of Excellence" program, which was launched in 2023 as one of seven of the SPL’s transformation strategy.
As the summer of 2024 unfolds, the SPL remains committed to providing a supportive and centralised approach to transfers. This includes assisting all clubs with squad mapping and player care by offering expertise, governance, and sustainability measures.
The SPL's priorities for the upcoming season and transfer window include:
- Supporting Existing Contracts: Prioritising current contracts through supporting clubs to ensure the success of their players by providing necessary resources.
- Strategic Acquisitions: Continuing summer signings strategically to address clubs' technical gaps and secure top talent.
- Sustainability Policy: Ensuring players are signed for technical needs, supported for success, and fairly valued. Strategic Pillars: Continuing efforts across various strategic pillars, including broadcasting, infrastructure, club governance, and development of technical departments, while improving fan experience both physically and digitally.
Off the pitch, the SPL clubs continue to attract top-tier talent to their administrative ranks. Al Shabab recently appointed Domenico Teti as Sporting Director, while Al Nassr appointed Fernando Hierro as its Sporting Director, joining Esteve Calzada (Al Hilal CEO), Ron Gourlay (Al Ahli CEO), Lee Congerton (Al Ahli Sporting Director), Ramon Planes (Al Ittihad Sporting Director) and James Bisgrove (Al Qadsiah CEO), who were all appointed ahead of the 2024-25 season
In addition, the SPL has conducted a series of workshops with partner leagues in Europe and Asia to further develop areas of cooperation and mutual benefit. These discussions have covered topics such as mutual promotion, broadcast development, and alignment on transfer window dates.
The SPL highlights that the "Player Acquisition Centre of Excellence" program is one of seven pillars of its transformation strategy. This program serves as a collaborative tool with clubs to enhance their player acquisition capabilities. Since its launch, the "Player Acquisition Centre of Excellence" has recruited 97 players and reviewed more than 200 contracts, significantly reducing contract-termination costs and lowering the average age of signed players from 29 to 27.5 years.
The SPL aims to further reduce this average in the upcoming season, with a focus on signing players under the age of 21.
