Al Harbi, Al Shehri, Lajami: The major Saudi summer moves

After 46 days of drama, dreaming and dealing, the summer transfer window of the Roshn Saudi League has closed.

Now, with the league already two games into the new season, we have the full landscape of how each team looks for the campaign. Here are some of the headline moves made by local Saudi players over the past seven weeks that will help shape the 2024-25 RSL.

Moteb Al Harbi - Al Hilal

It came down to the wire, but the Al Shabab full-back secured his move to Al Hilal in one of the biggest transfers in RSL history.

The 24-year-old, currently on national team duty with the Green Falcons as they continue their journey on the road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, has established himself as one of the rising stars of Saudi football after four impressive years on the other side of the capital.

Chased by more than one club, ultimately, Al Harbi decided on Al Hilal for the next step in his career, following in the footsteps of Yasser Al Shahrani, the long-time incumbent left-back for Al Hilal and Saudi Arabia.

Abdullah Radif – Al Ettifaq

While Al Hilal welcomed one of the big fish this window in Al Harbi, they also saw a number of players go the other way - one of those being promising young striker Abdullah Radif.

With opportunities likely to have been limited at Al Hilal, the 21-year-old will spend the season on loan at Al Ettifaq, working under Steven Gerrard, where chances to impress should be more forthcoming.

The rangy left-footer showcased his talent at the 2023 AFC Asian Cup earlier this year, scoring within seconds of coming on against South Korea in the last 16, while he also found the net three times last season while on loan at Al Shabab.

Saleh Al Shehri - Al Ittihad

One of the highest-profile moves of the transfer window came when national team star Saleh Al Shehri, who scored in that memorable win over Argentina at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, swapped Al Hilal for fierce rivals Al Ittihad.

The veteran striker, who struck five goals in 14 appearances for Al Hilal last season, enjoyed a trophy-laden five years in the capital, winning four league titles and two AFC Champions League crowns. Turning 31 this year, he recently told The Asian Game Podcast his decision to leave Al Hilal was due to wanting a “fresh challenge”.

No doubt he will get at Al Ittihad as they look to again challenge for silverware.

Qassem Lajami - Al Qadsiah

One half of the iconic Lajami twins that so confused Sadio Mane earlier last season, Qassem made the relatively short move from Al Ahsa to Al Khobar when he signed for Al Qadsiah from Al Fateh back in July.

Since joining Al Fateh in 2019, he has established himself as one of the most consistent defenders in the league, earning a call-up to the national team for last year’s Gulf Cup tournament.

With Al Qadsiah looking to overhaul their squad for their return to the RSL for the first time since 2020-21, Lajami was one of their main targets to bolster the defence alongside the likes of former Real Madrid captain Nacho.

Zakaria Hawsawi - Al Raed

After coming through at Medinah-based Ohod, the athletic full-back impressed on loan at Al Ittihad during their title-winning season in 2022-23, earning himself a permanent move to the Jeddah giants.

A left-back by trade, Hawsawi has pace to burn and, after finding opportunities limited in his second season at Al Ittihad, has made the move to Al Raed ahead of the new campaign. You would expect the decision to pay off, with the defender getting more game time to showcase his clear talent.

Having already earned a senior national team call-up, another strong season will put Hawsawi firmly back into the mix for international selection.

Musab Al Juwayr - Al Shabab

Another to have flown the Al Hilal nest, the promising midfielder returns to Al Shabab having spent the second half of last season on loan at the capital club.

A product of Al Hilal’s academy, Al Juwayr made a name for himself after scoring the winning penalty - as a fresh-faced 19-year-old - for Al Hilal in their win against Wydad Casablanca at last year’s FIFA Club World Cup.

Also starring for the national team at the Gulf Cup around the same time, he stamped himself as a player to watch, which was only enhanced by his impressive spell with Al Shabab last season, where he scored three goals in 15 games.

Mourad Khodari - Al Wehda

A product of the Al Ahli academy, the 21-year-old has been a relative unknown in recent years, with a loan spell at Al Okhdood last season providing his first taste of senior football - albeit barely 30 minutes of football in all.

Earning a permanent move to Al Wehda ahead of the new RSL season, there were few expectations of the little-known midfielder, but Khedri has grabbed the chance with both hands, with goals in back-to-back games to start the season in a rich vein of form, getting his life in Mecca off to the best possible start. Could this be a breakout season for youngster?

Salem Al Najdi - Al Nassr