Al Fateh: A Quick Roundup of The Summer Transfer Window 2023
Saudi Pro League has gained unprecedented heights after the joining of legendary players like Cristiano Ronaldo, by joining Al Nassr. This led to a series of transfers and now the recent transfer of Neymar to Al Hilal has further increased the popularity of the tournament. Not only did Al Nassr make signings this summer, there were more clubs who signed star players across the world. The list of the other major signings made by the Al Fateh club under the summer transfer window of 2023 is given below.
Who signed for Al Fateh?
After its existence in 1950, the club mainly focussed on its participation and performance in the lower division leagues. Later, by achieving promotions, the club became a part of the prestigious higher-division clubs. The biggest boost to the club was seen during the time when the club hired Fathi Al-Jabal as its head coach during the 2008/09 season. This led to their qualification under the Saudi Professional League during the 2008/09 season itself.
Also Read: Al Fateh SC Players: The club’s goalkeepers, defenders, midfielders, forwards and coaches
Al Fateh had shown an outstanding performance in the league for the 2023-24 season. Out of the 9 matches played, the team won 5 of them and is currently residing at the 6th spot in the points table with a total of 17 points in its account. The recent signing of the star midfielder Lucas Zelarayán, Djaniny as a Centre-Forward, and Mohammed Al-Fuhaid as a Centre-Forward has further strengthened the team’s offensive lineup.
Apart from that the presence of the legendary midfielder Lucas Zelarayán, in the team would inspire the other team members to play in an attacking mode throughout the tournament. Finally, the most positive aspect for the team has been an injuryless lineup from the previous matches, which shall help the team to play with 100% efficiency in the coming matches.
The club belongs to the Al Hasa region of Saudi Arabia. Al Fateh, also known as the Conquerors, has Prince Abdullah bin Jalawi Stadium as their home ground. The average price for a ticket is around – €94. The other major highlights of the signings and sales made by the club are as follows –
LUCAS ZELARAYAN (COLUMBUS CREW) – reported €2.8 M fee
Lucas Zelarayan had been purchased by Al Fateh Club for a price of €2.8 M. The 31-year-old has played for the national team of Argentina and has been previously a part of the Columbus Crew FC. He is currently playing an outstanding game for his team as an attacking midfielder.
DJANINY (TRABZONSPOR) – reported €1.01 M fees
The 32-year-old has become the star striker for his team immediately after he joined the side. He was reportedly transferred from the Trabzonspor club for a transfer fee of €1.01 M. Djaniny currently plays as a center forward for the side, and has a mesmerizing quality of penetrating into the opponent’s half without any additional efforts.
ABDULLAH AL – MOGREN (AL AHLI) – reportedly undisclosed fees
Abdullah Al Mogren has earlier been a star striker from the side of Al Ahli and had shown his star performance in quite a few matches in the Saudi Pro League previously. The 26-year-old has represented the national team of Saudi Arabia and currently plays as a center forward for the Al Fateh club.
JASON DENAYER (SHABAB AL AHLI) – free transfer
Jason Denayer has been a star player for the Shabab Al Ahli club in the previous seasons. However, the 31-year-old had been transferred for free via the club to Al Fateh. Now he plays as a centre-back for the team and acts as a strong defensive lineup for the team on the ground.
SAEED AL – BASISI (JEDDAH) – free transfer
The 23-year-old is a star player of Saudi Arabia and has reportedly been transferred for free from Jeddah to Al Fateh. He is currently playing at the right back position for the team and ensures that the opponent strikers are not able to penetrate into the defensive lineup of the Al Fateh club during the Saudi Pro League matches.
Coaches that made the switch :
The Croatian star player Boss Slaven Bilic has been recruited as the new coach of Al Fateh. He was brought up as a replacement after the previous coach Steven Gerrard took charge as the coach of Al Ettifaq SC. Slaven has previous experience of being the coach of Al-Ittihad club during the year 2018. He also provided valuable guidance to his native Croatian team from 2006 to 2012. He had been appointed up to 30th June 2025 as the official coach for the club.
Who rejected the move?
FERLAND MENDY
Ferland Mendy was expected to join the Al Fateh club after he was duly dropped from Real Madrid for his bad performance in the previous season. However, the Al Fateh SC humbly rejected the offer of Real Madrid to join Mendy in their club seeing his bad form, and the grievous injury he got while playing against Barcelona. Due to his bad form, Mendy might be left out of the team in the coming season as well.