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Saudi Pro League finalizes preparations for 2024-25 season winter transfer window

Al-Ahli's signing of Ivan Toney from English Premier League club Brentford was one of the SPL summer transfer window's biggest moves. (Supplied/SPL)
Al-Ahli's signing of Ivan Toney from English Premier League club Brentford was one of the SPL summer transfer window's biggest moves. (Supplied/SPL)
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Updated 30 December 2024

Saudi Pro League finalizes preparations for 2024-25 season winter transfer window

Saudi Pro League finalizes preparations for 2024-25 season winter transfer window
  • Clubs will be able to sign new players between New Year’s Day and Jan. 30
  • The league organized workshops for clubs to assess specific needs and help provide tailored support for them

RIYADH: The Saudi Pro League has finalized its preparations for the 2024-25 season’s winter transfer window, which runs from Jan. 1 to 30.

League authorities said they held a series of workshops with member clubs to assess specific needs and objectives for the transfer window and help provide tailored support for them, including the facilitation of transfers within the league.

During the 2024 summer transfer window, the 18 SPL clubs used 16 of the 36 available slots for foreign players under the age of 21; 13 clubs signed at least one U-21 player from another country, five did not make any signings in this category. The remaining slots are available to eligible clubs during the winter window.

All 18 teams utilized their maximum allowance of eight foreign players over the age of 21 during the summer transfer window. Any clubs planning new signings in this category will therefore have to terminate contracts, sell players or deregister members of their squads.

The SPL said it will also coordinate with clubs and the Financial Sustainability Committee to ensure compliance with league policies and regulations.

A total of 115 domestic players are registered for the 2024-25 SPL season, while 132 departed due to the end or termination of a contract, or sales to clubs in other leagues. Meanwhile, 101 foreign players joined the league this season, and 32 departed. The average player age of players in the league fell from 27.6 years old to 26.2.

The SPL said its preparations for the transfer window reflect its commitment to supporting clubs through the facilitation of transfers, improved governance and planning, efforts to ensure player welfare, and enhanced financial sustainability.


Shnaider downs Alexandrova to claim Monterrey Open title

Shnaider downs Alexandrova to claim Monterrey Open title
Updated 31 sec ago

Shnaider downs Alexandrova to claim Monterrey Open title

Shnaider downs Alexandrova to claim Monterrey Open title
  • Third seed Shnaider carved out an advantage early on in the third set when she broke Alexandrova in the first game and held serve to go 2-0 up, an advantage she would not relinquish
Russian Diana Shnaider continued her impressive winning streak in tour-level finals at the Monterrey Open on Saturday, beating compatriot Ekaterina Alexandrova 6-4 4-6 6-4 in the WTA 500 event’s final.
Shnaider had little trouble in the opening set but struggled in a topsy-turvy second, as Alexandrova clinched the set’s fifth and decisive break at 5-4 to force a decider.
Third seed Shnaider carved out an advantage early on in the third set when she broke Alexandrova in the first game and held serve to go 2-0 up, an advantage she would not relinquish.
World number 12 Shnaider is now unbeaten in her last five finals on the WTA Tour, adding the Monterrey crown to her triumphs in Hong Kong, Budapest, Bad Homburg and Hua Hin last year.
The win also saw Shnaider level her head-to-head record with Alexandrova, who was faced with a quick turnaround for the final after her semifinal against Czech Marie Bouzkova was moved from Friday to Saturday due to a rain-enforced suspension.
Both players will have little time to rest after the final before they make the nearly 2,000 mile journey from Monterrey to New York to play in the first round of the US Open, which begins on Sunday.
Shnaider will face Germany’s Laura Siegemund, while Alexandrova takes on Anastasija Sevastova of Latvia.

Son Heung-Min scores first MLS goal to help LAFC earn 1-1 draw with Dallas

Son Heung-Min scores first MLS goal to help LAFC earn 1-1 draw with Dallas
Updated 1 min 49 sec ago

Son Heung-Min scores first MLS goal to help LAFC earn 1-1 draw with Dallas

Son Heung-Min scores first MLS goal to help LAFC earn 1-1 draw with Dallas
  • Dallas (7-11-9) pulled even in the 13th minute when Logan Farrington used an assist from Patrickson Delgado
  • Heung-Min scored unassisted for his first goal six minutes into his third MLS appearance to give LAFC (11-6-8) the lead
FRISCO: Son Heung-Min scored his first goal to help Los Angeles FC earn a 1-1 draw with FC Dallas on Saturday night.
Heung-Min scored unassisted for his first goal six minutes into his third MLS appearance to give LAFC (11-6-8) the lead.
Dallas (7-11-9) pulled even in the 13th minute when Logan Farrington used an assist from Patrickson Delgado — his third — to score his career-high fifth goal. Farrington had four goals in 29 appearances as a rookie last season.
Michael Collodi finished with four saves for Dallas in his fifth career start. Collodi, 24, has allowed four goals while filling in for injured starter Maarten Paes.
Hugo Lloris saved one shot for LAFC, which leads the all-time series 7-4-3 despite a 1-4-2 record in Frisco.
LAFC’s only road win in the series was a 3-2 victory Oct. 20, 2021. The club is 3-3-6 on the road this season.
LAFC has lost just twice in its last 18 matches — 1-0 losses at home to the Portland Timbers and Vancouver Whitecaps.
Dallas is 3-8-3 at home but 2-1-2 in its last five matches overall.
LAFC will host San Diego FC on Aug. 31. Dallas returns to action on Sept. 6 at St. Louis City.

Aubameyang scores 2 as Marseille moves on from players’ locker room fight with big win over Paris FC

Aubameyang scores 2 as Marseille moves on from players’ locker room fight with big win over Paris FC
Updated 24 August 2025

Aubameyang scores 2 as Marseille moves on from players’ locker room fight with big win over Paris FC

Aubameyang scores 2 as Marseille moves on from players’ locker room fight with big win over Paris FC
  • Victory followed Marseille's season-opening loss at Rennes, which caused teammates Adrien Rabiot and Jonathan Rowe to fight
  • Coach Roberto De Zerbi said the two players, who brawled as if in a pub fight, have been put on the club’s transfer list

MARSEILLE, France: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored twice as Marseille ended a week of turmoil with a 5-2 win over promoted Paris FC in the French league on Saturday.
Marseille could even afford a missed penalty from Mason Greenwood late on.
But the victory wasn’t a given amid the unusual buildup to the game. Marseille coach Roberto De Zerbi said Friday that teammates Adrien Rabiot and Jonathan Rowe had brawled as if in a pub fight after the team’s season-opening loss at Rennes last weekend.
Both players have been put on the club’s transfer list.
Greenwood opened the scoring Saturday with a penalty before the Aubameyang show started with a spectacular finish in the 24th minute.
Ilan Kebbal pulled one back four minutes later with a brilliant strike inside the far post and he played in Moses Simon to equalize early in the second half with a perfectly placed through ball.
Aubameyang restored Marseille’s lead after a gift from the Paris defense, Pierre-Emile Höjbjerg made it 4-2 in the 81st, and impressive substitute Robinio Vaz completed the scoring in stoppage time after Greenwood missed his second opportunity from the spot. The penalty was awarded for a foul on Vaz.
Lyon wins again
Lyon eased to a 3-0 victory over Metz for its first home win of the season following its successful appeal against relegation last month.
The seven-time French champion was demoted to the second tier because of ongoing financial irregularities and debts estimated at 175 million euros ($203 million), but it appealed.
The club’s new president, Michele Kang, watched as first-half goals from Malick Fofana and Corentin Tolisso were followed in the 83rd minute by Adam Karabec’s first goal since his arrival from Sparta Prague.
There was a brief holdup in the second half as an announcement and a message on the large screen warned against offensive chants.
It’s the second win from two games for Lyon, which opened with a 1-0 win over Lens last week.
Also Saturday, Nice enjoyed a 3-1 win over Auxerre, which had goalkeeper Donovan Léon sent off before the break for bringing down Isak Jansson.
Defending champion Paris Saint-Germain defeated Angers 1-0 on Friday.
 


Viktor Gyokeres scores twice as Arsenal rout Leeds

Viktor Gyokeres scores twice as Arsenal rout Leeds
Updated 23 August 2025

Viktor Gyokeres scores twice as Arsenal rout Leeds

Viktor Gyokeres scores twice as Arsenal rout Leeds
  • Victory came at a cost for Mikel Arteta as Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard hobbled off injured

LONDON: Viktor Gyokeres scored his first two Arsenal goals as the Gunners gave Leeds a harsh lesson in the step up to the Premier League with a 5-0 win at the Emirates.

Victory came at a cost for Mikel Arteta as Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard hobbled off injured just eight days before Arsenal’s trip to Liverpool.

Arsenal edged ahead of north London rivals Tottenham at the top of the table on goal difference, as the only two sides so far with a 100 percent record from their opening two games.

Saka fired in a blistering strike from a narrow angle to double the home side’s lead after Jurrien Timber opened the scoring.

Gyokeres was signed from Sporting Lisbon as the solution to Arsenal’s need for a killer number nine.

The Swede’s ability to succeed in the Premier League has been questioned despite his prolific record of 97 goals in 102 games for Sporting.

Gyokeres made his mark with a fine individual run and finish before Timber bundled in his second from another Declan Rice corner.

Gyokeres rounded off the scoring from the penalty spot with virtually the last kick of the game.

A day of celebration for the home fans began before kick-off when new £60 million ($81 million) signing Eberechi Ezi was paraded after he turned down a move to Tottenham.

But the sight of captain Odegaard and talisman Saka leaving the field soured a routine win.

Arsenal had to rely on their threat from set-pieces to grind out a 1-0 win at Manchester United on the opening weekend of the season.

Despite a dominant start to the game, that was how the the Leeds defense was prized open.

Timber had scored just twice in 52 Arsenal appearances before Saturday.

The Dutch international doubled that tally as he firstly got his head to Rice’s inviting delivery on 34 minutes.

Odegaard then made his departure after appearing to injure his shoulder falling heavily to the turf.

Saka soon had the Emirates crowd back on their feet when he drilled Timber’s pass high past Lucas Perri with his supposedly weaker right foot.

Gyokeres had at one point been a target for Leeds during his days with Coventry in the Championship before making the move to Portugal.

Arsenal’s new £66 million signing showed the Yorkshire side what they missed as he scampered onto Riccardo Calafiori’s ball over the top and cut inside before firing in at the near post.

Saka missed nearly four months of last season with a hamstring injury.

Worryingly for Arteta, the England international was holding the back of his left leg when he was replaced on 53 minutes.

Arsenal added a fouth when Leeds failed to clear another Rice corner and Timber forced the ball over the line from close range.

Arteta could then afford the luxury of handing a Premier League debut to 15-year-old Max Dowman.

He became the second youngest ever player to play in the English top-flight after team-mate Ethan Nwaneri.

Dowman’s trickery won a penalty deep into stoppage time that Gyokeres gratefully dispatched.


Al-Ahli claim Saudi Super Cup after Ronaldo hits historic century for Al-Nassr

Al-Ahli claim Saudi Super Cup after Ronaldo hits historic century for Al-Nassr
Updated 23 August 2025

Al-Ahli claim Saudi Super Cup after Ronaldo hits historic century for Al-Nassr

Al-Ahli claim Saudi Super Cup after Ronaldo hits historic century for Al-Nassr
  • Jeddah club win penalty shootout following dramatic 2-2 draw in Hong Kong

LONDON: Asian Champions Al-Ahli claimed the Saudi Super Cup with a penalty shootout win over Al-Nassr in Hong Kong on Saturday after Cristiano Ronaldo made history by scoring his 100th goal for the Riyadh club.

The two teams drew 2-2 after 90 minutes of action, before Al-Ahli emerged victorious 5-3 on penalties.

The 40-year-old Ronaldo reached his century of goals for Al-Nassr, for whom he signed in December 2022. In doing so, he became the first player ever to reach three figures for four separate clubs after netting 450 times for Real Madrid, 145 for Manchester United and 101 for Juventus. Ronaldo is also the all-time leading international goalscorer with 138 — and counting — for Portugal.

Al-Nassr had the better of the first half but were unable to make their superiority count until they got a helping hand after 40 minutes. Ali Majrashi stopped a cross from Ayman Yahya with his hand and Ronaldo stepped up to fire the spot kick straight down the middle.

Al-Ahli were back on level terms inside added time of the first half. It was a fine strike. Enzo Millot found Franck Kessie in space on the edge of the area and the Ivorian curled a shot into the far corner for his third goal of the Super Cup.

Al-Ahli kept the momentum going for the second half and should have gone ahead with 20 minutes remaining but, somehow, Firas Al-Buraikan fired an Ivan Toney cross against the post from inside the six-yard box.

With seven minutes remaining, however, Marcelo Brozovic restored Al-Nassr’s lead with a rare goal. The Croatian dispossessed Kessie inside the area and then calmly finished into the bottom corner.

But with only a minute left on the clock, Brazilian defender Ibanez headed home a corner to take the game into a penalty shootout.

Ronaldo scored, but once his teammate Abdullah Al-Khaibari missed, it was all over as Al-Ahli ran out 5-3 winners to lift the trophy for the first time sine 2016.

Attention now turns to the Saudi Pro League season which kicks off on Thursday as Al-Nassr take on Al-Taawoun while Al-Ahli host the newly-promoted, and ambitious, Neom SC.