Saudi Arabia are trying to lure semi-professional footballers from Europe to play in their fourth division with lucrative deals.
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Saudi clubs want European players Lucrative deals offered to semi-prosPlayers to be provided with house & carsWHAT HAPPENED?
Saudi Arabian football has been in the limelight ever since Manchester United and Real Madrid legend Cristiano Ronaldo moved to the country and signed for Saudi Pro League giants Al-Nassr in January 2023. Since then, several top European stars like Neymar, Karim Benzema and Sadio Mane have moved to the Middle Eastern country on lucrative deals.
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The Asian country, however, are now determined to create a solid foundation at the lower level to emerge as a football powerhouse in the years to come and as a result are reportedly trying to lure semi-professional footballers from Europe to sign for their fourth-division clubs, according to Marca.
The report further adds that officials from Saudi are trying to recruit players through Spanish employment platform FutbolJobs and are willing to offer players a salary in the region of $10,000 to $20,000 (€9,200/₤7,748 – €18,321/₤15,455) for 10 month-seasons. Along with the salary, they would pay for the player's plane tickets, will give them a house to stay and provide them with cars, and facilitate their VISA.
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The players in turn will only have to have a certificate from their existing clubs, should have a highlight video and must not have a criminal background. The maximum age limit is 30 years.
GettyWHAT NEXT FOR SAUDI PRO LEAGUE?
The new 2024-25 season of the Saudi Arabian top division will kick off on August 22 with Al-Taawoun taking on Al Feiha. Later on the same day, Ronaldo's Al-Nassr face Al-Raed.