Naif Masoud: Al-Ahli sign Saudi midfielder from Al-Fateh on four-year deal in fifth summer transfer

Al-Ahli Saudi have announced the signing of midfielder Naif Masoud from Al-Fateh on a four-year contract, making him the club’s fifth arrival of the current summer transfer window.

The Jeddah club confirmed the move in an official statement on their website, revealing that Masoud has signed a deal running until 2030, as Al-Ahli continue to reshape their squad for the coming Saudi Pro League season.

Masoud, 25, joins after a full campaign with Al-Fateh and becomes the latest addition in an ambitious recruitment drive that has already brought in high-profile names from Europe and beyond.

‘A major step in my career’

Reacting to his move, Masoud underlined the significance of joining one of Saudi Arabia’s most storied clubs.

He said: “الانضمام الى الاهلي يمثل خطوة مهمة في مسيرتي، اعلم جيدا قيمة هذا النادي وتاريخه الكبير، كما ادرك حجم المسوولية تجاه جماهيره”.

He added: “سابذل كل ما املك داخل الملعب، واتمنى ان اكون عند حسن الظن، وان نحقق معا النجاحات التي تليق باسم الاهلي”.

Al-Ahli, nicknamed “Al-Raqi” (The Elegant), are looking to strengthen their domestic and continental prospects after an aggressive reset of their squad that has seen them target both international stars and promising local talents.

Fifth signing of a busy window

Masoud’s arrival follows four earlier summer signings as Al-Ahli continue to invest heavily in their playing staff.

The club have already brought in:
– Gambian forward Bubacarr Trawally Sidi Kanteh
– Portuguese winger Francisco Trincao
– Armenian international Eduard Spertsyan
– Saudi player Mishal Al-Mutairi

The capture of Masoud further deepens Al-Ahli’s midfield options, adding a domestic player in his prime years as the club balances its foreign quota with local reinforcements.

From Al-Qadsiah to Al-Ahli

Masoud began his career at Al-Qadsiah, where he was promoted to the first team in 2020. His development saw him sent out on loan and then move on in search of regular top-flight football.

In January 2024, he joined Al-Khaleej on loan, before securing a transfer to Al-Fateh in the summer of the same year. His performances there have now earned him a move to one of the country’s traditional heavyweights.

Last season, Masoud featured in 27 matches for Al-Fateh across the Roshn Saudi League and the King’s Cup (King Cup of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques). He scored one goal and did not register any assists, but his consistent selection underlined the trust placed in him by his coaches.

Al-Ahli’s wider ambitions

Al-Ahli’s latest signing underlines the club’s strategy of blending marquee foreign recruits with emerging and established Saudi talents as they push to compete at the top end of the Roshn Saudi League.

With Masoud tied down until 2030, the club appear to view him as a long-term component of their midfield structure, while the player himself has framed the transfer as a pivotal point in his professional journey.

The pressure and expectations will be significant at a club of Al-Ahli’s stature, but Masoud has already signalled his readiness to shoulder that burden as he prepares to make his mark in Jeddah.