Developing Saudi Talent Abroad: Al Ittihad Sends Faisal Al Ghamdi and Marwan Al Sahafi on Loan to Beerschot in Belgium on Loan
As part of developing young talent, Al Ittihad sent two players on loan to Europe. Faisal Al Ghamdi and Marwan Al Sahafi will join Belgian top-flight club Beerschot for the 2024-25 season.
Both players have made appearances for the Saudi Arabian national team and will be plying their trade in the Belgian top flight as they gain experience on foreign grounds. The 23-year-old Al Ghamdi made 30 appearances for Al Ettifaq before moving to Al Ittihad last year, where he made 18 appearances. The 20-year-old has been at Al Ittihad for his entire career, making 27 appearances.
Their new club, Beerschot, won the Belgian Challenger Pro League last season and earned promotion to the top flight. They will be under the tutelage of manager Dirk Kuyt, who famously played for Liverpool. The retired Netherlands forward also played for Feyenoord and Fenerbahce.
Speaking on signing the pair on loan, Kuyt said, “When we got the opportunity to follow Saudi talent in the Roshn [Pro] League, we searched for distinguished players and chose Faisal Al Ghamdi and Marwan Al Sahafi after we asked some European players about them and the opinions were positive.
He went on to reveal what they talked about, saying, “I spoke with them during Zoom before they arrived in Belgium, and I explained to them our future plans and what we intend to do together. They are very enthusiastic, and I am trying to benefit from the Dutch system that is concerned with developing young people to show their quality.”
