RIYADH: The Saudi Pro League, in collaboration with all 18 clubs, announced on Thursday its comprehensive preparations and key priorities for the upcoming summer transfer window and the 2024-25 season.
As part of the Player Acquisition Center of Excellence program, which was launched in 2023, the SPL held meetings with all top-flight clubs in the final months of last season to understand more fully their targets and requirements. The program was launched as one of seven in the SPL’s transformation strategy.
The SPL remains committed to providing a supportive and centralized approach to transfers. This includes assisting clubs with squad mapping and player care by offering expertise, governance, and sustainability measures.
The SPL’s priorities for the season and transfer window include supporting existing contracts by prioritizing current deals to ensure the success of players by providing the necessary resources.
Other aims include strategic acquisitions to address clubs’ technical gaps and secure top talent.
Another priority is its sustainability policy, which is to ensure players are signed for technical needs, supported for success, and fairly valued.
Off the pitch, the SPL clubs continue to attract top-tier talents to their administrative ranks.
Al-Shabab recently appointed Domenico Teti as sporting director, while Al-Nassr appointed Fernando Hierro. Both sporting directors join Esteve Calzada, Al-Hilal’s CEO; Ron Gourlay, Al-Ahli’s CEO; Lee Congerton, Al-Ahli’s sporting director; Ramon Planes, Al-Ittihad’s sporting director; and James Bisgrove, Al-Qadsiah’s CEO, as new appointments ahead of the new season.
In addition, the SPL has conducted a series of workshops with partner leagues in Europe and Asia to further develop areas of cooperation and mutual benefit. Discussions have covered topics such as mutual promotion, broadcast development, and alignment on transfer window dates.
The Player Acquisition Center of Excellence program, according to the SPL, serves as a collaborative tool with clubs to enhance their acquisition capabilities.
The program has so far recruited 97 players and reviewed over 200 contracts, significantly reducing contract termination costs and lowering the average age of signed players from 29 to 27.5 years. The ultimate aim is to focus on signing players under the age of 21.
SPL outlines priorities for player acquisitions, club development before new season
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SPL outlines priorities for player acquisitions, club development before new season
- League remains committed to providing a supportive, centralized approach to transfers
- Clubs continue to attract top-tier talents to their administrative ranks
With Mbappe injured, Real Madrid forward Gonzalo Garcia impresses with a hat trick
- The win kept second-placed Madrid within four points of Barcelona after the league leaders won 2-0 at Espanyol on Saturday
- Levante upset Sevilla 3-0 on the road in the debut of new Portuguese coach Luis Castro
- Real Sociedad made a promising start under new American coach Pellegrino Matarazzo after holding fourth-placed Atletico Madrid to a 1-1 draw
BARCELONA, Spain: Gonzalo Garcia scored his first, second and third goals in La Liga for Real Madrid on Sunday with his hat trick dominating a 5-1 rout of Real Betis.
The 21-year-old forward was making a rare start in place of the injured Kylian Mbappe, the league’s top scorer, who is sidelined with a left knee sprain.
Garcia came up through Madrid’s youth sides before debuting with its first team in November 2023. He has had steady minutes under Xabi Alonso this campaign.
“It was a dream game for him,” Alonso said about García. “Playing at the (Santiago) Bernabeu (stadium), first season with the first team, and to hit a hat trick. He wanted to score here, and I’m happy for him and with how he works every day whether or not he gets the chance to play. He has an unbelievable attitude and he’s a fantastic example of what it means to be a Real Madrid academy graduate.”
Garcia got going in the 20th minute when he headed in a free kick from Rodrygo after getting free of his marker at the far post.
He deftly controlled a pass with his chest before volleying a strike home from the edge of the area to make it 2-0 in the 50th.
After defender Raul Asencio headed in Rodrygo’s corner for a third Madrid goal shortly after, Betis striker Cucho Hernandez pulled one back for the visitors in the 66th.
Garcia got his hat trick in the 82nd with a flick of his heel to turn in a pass by Arda Guler before he was substituted to loud applause.
His replacement, Fran García, rounded off the victory in stoppage time.
“I’ve been a Madrid fan ever since I was a kid, and I’ve spent many years in the academy, so to come off to a standing ovation from these fans is a very special moment that will stay with me forever,” Gonzalo Garcia said. “I hope there are loads more goals, loads more wins to come, and a special year for all of us.”
The win kept second-placed Madrid within four points of Barcelona after the league leaders won 2-0 at Espanyol on Saturday. Third-placed Villarreal trail Madrid by seven points but has played two fewer games than Madrid and Barcelona.
The win came after a two-week winter break for Spanish clubs. Prior to that break, Madrid had been struggling and pressure was building for Alonso to oversee a convincing win like the one his team delivered against Betis.
Madrid’s most convincing victory in a month comes before Alonso’s side heads to Saudi Arabia where it will participate in the Spanish Super Cup. It will have to beat crosstown rival Atletico Madrid in Jeddah on Thursday to face either Barcelona or Athletic Bilbao in the final on Jan. 11.
“It was an important and well-deserved win to start the year at home,” Alonso said. “Getting underway like this is crucial, calmly and with positive feelings around the place ahead of the Super Cup.”
Promising starts
Levante upset Sevilla 3-0 on the road in the debut of new Portuguese coach Luis Castro.
With his team leading 2-0, Levante goalkeeper Mathew Ryan saved a penalty by Isaac Romero and his attempt to head in the rebound in the 90th minute before Levante scored its final goal.
Levante broke a run of eight rounds without a win and moved out of last place.
Oviedo fell to the bottom after a 1-1 draw at Alaves.
Real Sociedad made a promising start under new American coach Pellegrino Matarazzo after holding fourth-placed Atletico Madrid to a 1-1 draw.
Former Sociedad striker Alexander Sorloth put Atletico in front in the 50th, but Goncalo Guedes equalized five minutes later for the hosts.
Girona left the relegation zone with a 2-1 win at Mallorca.
