KSAsportz report
LENS, France — In a historic move, Saudi international right-back Saud Abdulhamid has officially joined Ligue 1 side RC Lens on a season-long loan from AS Roma. The transfer includes an option to buy, marking Abdulhamid as the first Saudi player to compete in France’s top football division.
The 26-year-old player arrives in France after an impactful year in Italy, where he became the first Saudi to participate in Serie A, recording appearances in both the league and the prestigious UEFA Europa League.
Abdulhamid boasts a remarkable domestic career, having previously played for Al-Ittihad and Al-Hilal. During his tenure, he secured multiple Saudi Pro League titles, six King’s Cups, and notably helped his teams reach the AFC Champions League semifinals.
A product of Al-Ittihad’s academy in Jeddah, Abdulhamid made his professional debut in 2018 and rapidly emerged as one of Saudi Arabia’s most reliable full-backs. He transitioned to Al-Hilal in 2022, where he was instrumental in their exceptional domestic success, which included a memorable run in the 2023 FIFA Club World Cup, where they achieved a stunning victory over Manchester City.
On the international stage, Abdulhamid has earned 38 caps for Saudi Arabia, representing the nation at the 2022 FIFA World Cup. He started all three group-stage matches, contributing to the historic 2-1 upset victory against eventual champions Argentina.
RC Lens sporting director Jean-Louis Leca hailed the signing, emphasizing Abdulhamid’s “dynamism, explosiveness, and combativeness,” traits he believes are perfect for the club’s high-intensity playstyle. “He fits seamlessly into our three-at-the-back system, offering quality delivery from wide areas while being able to contribute effectively in both possession and counterattacks,” Leca stated.
Abdulhamid will don the No. 23 shirt and aims to acclimatize rapidly to Ligue 1, leveraging both his extensive experience in Asian football and his recent European exposure in Italy to bolster Pierre Sage’s squad this season.