Al Ittihad have confirmed the signing of Senegal midfielder Dion Lopy from Spanish club Almeria on a three-year contract.
The Saudi Arabian club announced the deal in a video published on its official account on X, bringing an end to growing speculation over the 23-year-old’s future.
Lopy will remain under contract with Al Ittihad until 2029 and becomes the club’s first foreign signing of the summer transfer window. He is expected to compete for a place in the midfield of one of the most ambitious sides in the Saudi Pro League.
Al Ittihad have not disclosed the official value of the transfer. However, several media reports in recent days said the club was preparing to pay about 13m euros to secure Lopy’s services.
The fee is expected to be paid in instalments, while Almeria will reportedly retain a 10% sell-on clause should the Senegal international be transferred again in the future.
The move represents a significant financial success for Almeria, who are set to make a substantial profit on the midfielder. Lopy’s departure also brings his time with the Spanish club to an end as he takes on a new challenge in Saudi Arabia.
Al Ittihad’s decision to move for the Senegalese player underlines their intentions for the season ahead. Lopy has built a reputation for his physical presence in midfield, his ability to win back possession and his quality when helping his team play out from defence.
Those attributes are expected to add strength and balance to Al Ittihad’s midfield as the club seeks to compete for honours on both domestic and continental fronts.
For Lopy, the transfer marks the latest step in a career that is now taking him to a new footballing environment. The Senegal international will be aiming to establish himself quickly in his new team and make an immediate contribution to Al Ittihad’s ambitions.
His contract runs for three seasons, with the agreement tying him to the Saudi club through to 2029. Al Ittihad’s official confirmation means the transfer is now complete after reports had outlined the proposed fee and structure of the deal.
The arrival of Lopy gives the club an early indication of its recruitment plans during the summer market, while Almeria benefit from a sizeable return and the possibility of a further payment if the player is sold in the future.
