Al Hilal loan out seventh player as summer clear-out gathers pace

Al Hilal have sanctioned a seventh departure from their first-team squad this summer, with midfielder Abdulkarim Darcy leaving on loan to Abha in a move that underlines the scale of the Riyadh club’s close-season overhaul.

The Saudi Pro League champions confirmed in an official statement on their website that they had agreed to send Darcy to Abha on a season-long loan, running until the end of the next campaign.

The 25-year-old’s exit comes just one year after he joined Al Hilal on a free transfer during the previous summer window, following the expiry of his contract with former club Al Ahli at the end of the 2022–23 season.

Seventh departure of the summer

Darcy’s loan makes him the seventh player to leave Al Hilal ahead of the new season, either at the end of their contract or by moving to another club.

Earlier in pre-season, new Italian head coach Simone Inzaghi excluded goalkeeper Ahmed Aburasin, defender Ali Al-Bulayhi and striker Abdullah Radif from the squad’s training camp in Austria, signalling that they were not part of his immediate plans.

In addition, Spanish defender Pablo Mari left the club after his contract expired, while midfielder Mohammed Al-Qahtani has joined Al Qadsiah. Brazilian forward Marcos Leonardo has also departed, sealing a move to Dutch giants Ajax Amsterdam.

The reshaping of the squad follows a title-winning campaign in which Al Hilal dominated domestically but are now seeking to refresh their options under Inzaghi, who was appointed to succeed former coach Jorge Jesus.

Limited impact for Darcy

Darcy struggled to establish himself as a key figure in Al Hilal’s midfield last season despite arriving with expectations after his spell at Al Ahli.

He featured in 28 matches in all competitions for the Riyadh club but accumulated only 510 minutes on the pitch, reflecting his role largely as a substitute or rotational option. Across those appearances, he failed to score or provide an assist.

The loan move to Abha is expected to offer him more regular playing time and a chance to revive his form in the top flight. Abha, who have frequently looked to bigger clubs for loan signings to bolster their squad, will hope Darcy can add depth and stability in midfield as they aim to climb the Saudi Pro League table.

Inzaghi era triggers squad overhaul

Inzaghi’s early decisions indicate a clear intention to remodel the group he inherited, trimming experienced names and fringe players to create space for new signings and an adjusted tactical approach.

The omission of senior figures such as Al-Bulayhi from the Austria camp, alongside the exits of Mari and Marcos Leonardo, points to a defensive reshuffle and a possible reconfiguration of the attacking options.

With several weeks remaining in the summer transfer window, Al Hilal are expected to remain active both in terms of outgoings and incomings as they look to build a squad capable of defending their Saudi Pro League title and challenging for continental honours in the AFC Champions League.

Darcy’s switch to Abha, meanwhile, could yet prove beneficial for all parties: increased minutes for the player, a reinforced squad for Abha, and a leaner, more focused roster for Al Hilal as the Inzaghi era gets under way in earnest.