Al Ahli have secured the signing of former Al Hilal striker Abdullah Radif on a four-year deal after city rivals Al Ittihad dramatically pulled out of an agreement due to financial constraints.
The 23-year-old, who left Al Hilal earlier this month, had already reached a three-year agreement with Al Ittihad worth 27 million Saudi riyals (£5.6m), but the deal collapsed when the Jeddah club stepped back over liquidity issues.
Saudi newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat reports that Al Ahli moved quickly to capitalise, striking a contract with Radif that will keep him at the club until 2030, making him one of the headline domestic signings of the current summer transfer window.
Al Hilal exit opens door for rivals
Al Hilal announced on 7 July that Radif was leaving the club permanently, bringing an end to his five-year spell with the first team.
After being promoted to the seniors, Radif spent most of that period on loan, featuring for Al Taawoun, Al Shabab, Al Ettifaq and most recently Al Fayha, as he sought regular playing time in the Saudi Pro League.
His departure added another twist to the intense rivalry between Al Hilal and Al Ahli, with the latter now picking up a player developed by their Riyadh foes just weeks after he appeared set to join Jeddah neighbours Al Ittihad.
Ittihad deal collapses over finances
According to the report, Radif had agreed terms with Al Ittihad on a three-season contract that would have paid him 9 million riyals per year.
However, “العميد” (Al Ittihad’s nickname) withdrew from the negotiations when the club concluded it did not have the financial liquidity required to complete the transfer, leaving the striker suddenly back on the market.
Al Ahli then stepped in, concluding talks to bring the player to the club as part of their wider summer rebuild.
Role at Al Ahli and attacking competition
Radif is expected to start the season as Al Ahli’s third-choice centre-forward, competing with Brazilian striker Ricardo Matias for minutes behind England international Ivan Toney and Saudi forward Feras Al Brikan.
That hierarchy underlines both Al Ahli’s ambition in attack and the challenge facing Radif as he seeks to establish himself at one of the league’s biggest clubs.
Despite his limited impact last season, the Jeddah side appear convinced of his long-term potential and are prepared to give him a platform to revive his career.
Sixth summer signing in Al Ahli overhaul
Radif becomes Al Ahli’s sixth signing of the current transfer window as the club continues a significant squad reshaping ahead of the new campaign.
He follows Gambian defender Aboubacar Sidi Kanteh, Portugal winger Francisco Trincao, Armenia international Eduard Spertsyan, and Saudi duo Mishal Al Mutairi and Naif Masoud into the club.
The strategy reflects Al Ahli’s attempt to blend high-profile foreign imports with promising domestic talents as the Saudi Pro League continues to grow in profile and competitiveness.
Mixed recent form but long-term bet
Radif’s most recent spell came with Al Fayha in the second half of last season, where he struggled to make a decisive impact.
He featured in only eight matches, failing to score but providing two assists during his time at the club.
Despite that modest return, Al Ahli’s decision to offer a long-term contract suggests they view Radif as a developmental project who could yet fulfil the promise that once made him one of Al Hilal’s most talked-about academy graduates.
