Al Ittihad sign Aouar from AS Roma

Algerian international midfielder Houssem Aouar has been unveiled as Roshn Saudi League powerhouse Al Ittihad’s first international signing of the 2024 summer transfer window, joining from Serie A side AS Roma.

The 26-year-old signed a four-year deal with the Jeddah club, before joining up with coach Laurent Blanc and his new teammates at their pre-season training camp in Alicante, Spain.

A talented playmaker with the ability to play wide or centrally, Aouar was born in France to Algerian parents and came through the ranks at Olympique Lyon, where he made his senior debut and went on to make 179 appearances over the course of seven years.

At the Parc Olympique Lyonnais, Aouar was an integral part of the side that reached the 2019-2020 UEFA Champions League semi-finals under would-be Al Nassr manager Rudi Garcia. That year, Aouar was named in the Team of the Tournament. He joined AS Roma last summer and leaves the Italian club having scored four goals in 25 appearances.

Despite making his international debut for France in a friendly against Ukraine in 2020, Aouar opted to represent Algeria and has earned 12 caps for Les Fennecs since last year.

In signing for Al Ittihad, Aouar completes an impressive midfield trio at the King Abdullah Sports City alongside Fabinho and N’Golo Kante. The 2022-23 RSL champions will be looking to recapture the top-flight title when the 2024-25 season kicks off on August 22, having been dethroned by Al Hilal last term.