The new additions who shone on RSL debut

With a number of new recruits to the Roshn Saudi League making their debut in Matchweek 1, there was plenty of opportunity for some to offer an instant impact.

Thankfully, more than a few stepped up to the plate. Here, we select some of the new boys who made a name for themselves as the hugely anticipated 2024-25 RSL campaign finally got under way.

Lucas Kal (Al Riyadh)

Nothing quite like a six-goal thriller to get the season truly up and running, so thanks to Al Wehda and Al Riyadh, who played out a dramatic 3-3 draw in Mecca. It was the new-look visitors who perhaps emerged the happier, though - and that came courtesy of a scintillating effort from Kal.

A recent signing from Brazil’s Atletico Goianiense, the midfielder unleashed an unstoppable shot from 30 yards deep into stoppage time that flew into the top corner. The clock read 97 minutes. That Kal sealed a point for his new club, and also earlier registered an assist for Ibrahim Bayesh to make it 2-2, tallied up to a debut to remember.

Julian Quinones (Al Qadsiah)

Speaking of making a mark, maybe many would have expected Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to hog the headlines early on for Al Qadsiah. However, the Gabon international, who arrived last month from Olympique de Marseille, did not feature in the newly promoted side’s curtain-raising 3-0 victory at home to Al Fateh. Instead, it was left to Quinones to grab the limelight.

The Mexican, who traded Club America in his homeland for the Al Khobar club, struck twice on Friday, opening the scoring and concluding it. Coming on the half hour, his first was an expert touch to control and a rifled shot, while the stoppage-time second displayed Quinones’ predatory instincts as he rose highest to head home from close range Mohammed Abu Al Shamat’s cross.

Nacho (Al Qadsiah)

One of the marquee additions to the RSL this summer, the former Real Madrid captain has been signed to bring his almost-unparalleled experience to the league’s new boys. Nacho, who earlier this summer lifted both the UEFA Champions League trophy and UEFA European Championship Germany 2024 title, was a significant reason why Al Qadsiah ended their first match without conceding – something that bodes extremely well for a team with serious firepower up top.

Although, it's best to mention the man behind Nacho, too: Belgium international goalkeeper Koen Casteels will have enjoyed the clean sheet on his competitive bow as well.

Houssem Aouar (Al Ittihad)

What a way to introduce - and endear - yourself to your new fan base. A headline-conjuring recruit from Italy’s AS Roma, Aouar has been tipped to become one of the star performers in the RSL this season, with the Algerian playmaker brought into the remodelled 2022-23 champions’ midfield in part to provide for the likes of Karim Benzema and Moussa Diaby.

Yet, at Al Kholood on Saturday, Aouar was the man to secure the victory. With the match against the RSL debutants drifting towards stalemate, the former Olympique Lyon man stole in deep into injury time to meet Abdulrahman Al Obud pull-back and finish adroitly. Al Ittihad had an opening victory – and their fans another hero to herald.

Marek Rodak (Al Ettifaq)

On paper, Al Ettifaq looked to have one of the most difficult assignments of Matchweek 1. The Dammam club, sixth last season, were handed a tough trip to an Al Shabab side resurgent through the latter half of the 2023-24 campaign under manager Vitor Pereira, in which they eventually finished eighth.

Having made the move this summer from English Premier League club Fulham, Rodak would have probably been glad to see the hosts were without RSL legend Abderrazak Hamdallah, himself a new signing. Yet he was still faced with the likes of Haroune Camara, Yannick Carrasco and Giacomo Bonaventura.

Rodak, though, came through unscathed – even if, at times, his goal led a charmed life – and that laid the platform for Moussa Dembele’s spectacular winner 16 minutes from time. Ettifaq had prevailed despite the obvious challenge to triumph 1-0.