Ambitious Al Qadsiah ready to set RSL alight

Al Qadsiah are back in the Roshn Saudi League for the first time since the 2020-21 season, and they have made it clear they are not here simply to make up the numbers.

Based in Al Khobar in the Eastern Province, a short distance from Dammam, this has been a transformative summer for last season’s First Division League champions. Along the city’s picturesque foreshore, Al Qadsiah staged an extravagant public event, complete with a dazzling drone and fireworks display, to unveil the club’s new brand identity.

Evidently, Al Qadsiah are forging a new look for a new era.

Yet the wheels of change were already turning before the club’s new guise was unveiled. In fact, they began to spin as far back as 12 months ago. Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler was enticed to take charge of the club’s 2023-24 campaign for promotion to the RSL, while a host of top talent also made a beeline for Al Khobar, including former Al Hilal star and Peruvian international Andre Carillo.

While Fowler departed Al Qadsiah midway through the season, the club were already well on track to achieve their aim of graduating to the top flight, a job that was finished off by Real Madrid legend and 1987 Ballon d’Or winner, Michel. The Spaniard had previously managed clubs such as Olympique de Marseille, Olympiacos and Sevilla.

While success in the First Division League is one thing, achieving something similar in the RSL required a greater level of investment for a club that have never finished higher than 10th in the Saudi Pro League era.

So, Al Qadsiah signalled their intent early on this summer, with the signing of highly sought-after Uruguayan midfielder Nahitan Nandez from Italy’s Cagliari. The 28-year-old had been linked to some of football’s most prominent clubs the past few years, with AS Roma considered his most likely suitor.

Then Al Qadsiah swooped. The club's new era had lift-off.

Weeks later, that ambition was reinforced with the acquisition of Real Madrid captain Nacho, a six-time UEFA Champions League winner and, as of just last month, a UEFA European Championships gold medallist with Spain. Indeed, Nacho’s final act as a Real Madrid player was lifting the UEFA Champions League trophy in June following the win against Borussia Dortmund in London.

It’s the type of success Nacho hopes to bring to Al Qadsiah as they look to mount a serious challenge in the 2024-25 RSL after sealing silverware in the second tier last season. They begin that quest on Friday, at home to Al Fateh.

“I am very happy to start this new project,” Nacho said upon signing with the RSL new boys. “For me, it is a radical and very important change in my life. Of course, I want to thank the trust of Al Qadsiah Club. I am very happy to distinguish myself here, to do things well and do everything well for this club to achieve all the challenges we set for ourselves.”

Clearly keen on competing at the sharp end of the 2024-25 table, Al Qadsiah weren’t done yet.

Belgium international goalkeeper Koen Casteels joined from VfL Wolfsburg in the Bundesliga, with Mexican international forward and Liga MX champion, Julian Quinones coming from Club America. Almost in an instant, Al Qadsiah had added quality at both ends of the pitch.

Also, there was a focus on attracting high-level domestic players, too. Ali Hazazi, an Al Qadsiah youth product, returned to the club after six years with near rivals Al Ettifaq, while Saudi Arabia national-team defender Qassem Lajami – he forms one half of the iconic Lajami twins - swapped Al Ahsa for Al Khobar, joining from Al Fateh.

Throw in Hussain Al Qahtani from Al Shabab, and defender Mohammed Qassem from Al Nassr, and the Al Qadsiah squad takes on a completely different complexion to the one that won promotion.

As if that wasn’t enough quality throughout the roster, the club recruited Gabon international, and former Arsenal, Barcelona and Marseille striker, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, for good measure.

Al Qadsiah continued their business by adding Argentine Ezequiel Fernandez, another coveted midfielder, from Boca Juniors. Aged only 22, Fernandez excelled at the just-concluded Olympic Games in France. Most recently, they signed Gaston Alvarez, the  versatile Uruguayan defender, from Spain's Getafe.

It is Aubameyang, though, who football fans across the world will more recognise. Understandably, he's intent on keeping his name up in lights in fresh surroundings. 

“I am very, very happy and very excited to come here, and I can’t wait to discover the team, the staff and the country,” said the 35-year-old once his two-year contract was announced. My challenge is to continue what I’ve been doing all my career and all my life: scoring goals and try to give my experience to the team and to the players.”

Of the Al Qadsiah fans, Aubameyang said: “Hopefully I can see them very soon. I can’t wait to see them. I will try to give them some goals and obviously a show… because I am a showman.”

A showman in a team ready to put on a display in the RSL. As the summer suggests, the fireworks in Al Khobar have only just begun.