Abdulhamid completes historic move to AS Roma

Saud Abdulhamid has finalised his history-making transfer to AS Roma.

The Saudi Arabian defender, a Roshn Saudi League winner last season with Al Hilal, was on Tuesday confirmed as the Italian Serie A club’s newest signing, meaning he is the first footballer from the Kingdom to sign permanently for a team in one of Europe’s traditional top-five leagues.

Abdulhamid, 25, flew to Rome on Monday, where he underwent medical tests before completing his deal with the three-time Italian champions. He will wear the No.12 shirt at his new club.

A Saudi Arabia international, Abdulhamid was an integral part of the Al Hilal side who lifted both the 2021-22 and 2023-24 RSL title, while he is also a two-time King’s Cup winner and two-time Saudi Super Cup winner. He captured the second Super Cup earlier this month, although he did not feature in Al Hilal’s 2024-24 RSL opener at Al Okhdood on Saturday.

Abdulhamid began his senior career at Al Ittihad in 2018, where he made 72 RSL appearances before moving from Jeddah to Riyadh midway through the 2021-22 season. At Al Hilal, the right-back played 75 times in the Saudi top flight, scoring four goals.

Abdulhamid has become a regular starter for his national team and was one of the standouts at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, in particular in Saudi Arabia's memorable 2-1 victory against eventual champions Argentina.