Al Qadsiah land RSL starlet Al Juwayr
The youngster, who signed a five-year contract on Sunday, came through the ranks at Al Hilal but made his breakthrough in the RSL during the past two seasons in Al Shabab colours.
There, he impressed on loan, winning the Young Player of the Month award by Roshn every single month of the 2024-25 campaign.
Al Juwayr's 15 goal involvements in 31 matches earned him the inaugural RSL Young Player of the Season accolade to crown an impeccable season in the capital.
The enterprising youngster also established himself as a regular for the Saudi Arabia national team, picking up 19 caps in which he scored six goals since making his international debut in January 2023.
Al Juwayr is the latest to join Aramco-backed Al Qadsiah's strong recruitment drive this summer, with the Al Khobar side having already acquired Italian international forward Mateo Retegui from Atalanta and veteran forward Abdullah Al Salem from Al Khaleej.
Only last week, the club also announced the return of experienced left-back Yasser Al Shahrani from Al Hilal.
Al Qadsiah get their 2025-26 season under way in Hong Kong later this month, where they take on Al Nassr in the semi-final of the Saudi Super Cup before they embark on the new RSL campaign. Last season, upon their return to the top flight, they finished an excellent fourth.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
Martin Buday 'very upset and very sad' about UFC exit despite 7-1 promotional record
Martin Buday was riding a three-fight win streak when his manager called in late July. The fighter, then ranked No. 12 in the UFC's heavyweight division, had just scored a unanimous decision win over the legendary jiu-jitsu champion Marcus Buchecha at UFC Abu Dhabi. Buday was still celebrating — Buchecha, after all, had been an idol of his for more than a decade. But on fight week, Buday said, the two foes 'separated any good emotions' during an impromptu meeting. They shook hands and wished the best man to win. That man, on July 26, was Buday. Buday out-struck Buchecha on the feet and successfully stuffed the jiu-jitsu ace's takedown attempts. He ground out a convincing but unspectacular win. The 33-year-old explained Monday on Uncrowned's "The Ariel Helwani Show" that he knew the Buchecha bout would be the last of his UFC contract, but he'd been in that situation before. 'In the first contract, they let me fight it to the end,' he said. 'This was the same scenario, again.' Back then, an August 2023 first-round submission win over Josh Parisian helped seal Buday's fate. The UFC offered a four-fight contract extension. This time around, there was no such deal. There was no negotiation. The UFC was no longer in the Buday business. 'I found out last Wednesday [July 30],' said Buday. 'I got a call from my manager to say the UFC will not be extending the contract with us. So, it was pretty rough. I was very upset and very sad because I love UFC. I was hoping to get re-signed. I was sad about the situation.' Buday, who won seven of his eight UFC appearances in the promotion's heavyweight division, said he's aware of the reasons why. He'd been told his victories needed that punctuation mark — that slam dunk. Buday needed to finish people in exciting fashion, rather than win by decision, as all but the Parisian win were. 'My fights are not attractive on the eyes of the fan,' he said. 'But I do everything to secure the win. That was the main problem — I didn't have finishes in the fight.' When Buday lost by brutal, second-round knockout to Shamil Gaziev in 2023, he feared the worst. He feared the UFC would cut him from the roster. It was communicated to him that the UFC "was not happy with decisions.' He needed a big finish, he said. But, against Gaziev, it was he who got finished. Buday admitted he was worried. "It was a bad performance," he said. Regardless, Buday rebounded to win three fights in a row. He eked out a split decision over the former UFC heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovski in June 2024, even though Buday's father died during fight week. Buday 'wasn't there mentally' that week, or in the fight itself, he said. 'It was a very unfortunate situation for me.' Buday then scored a clear-cut unanimous decision over Uran Satybaldiev this past April. And then, of course, he beat Buchecha in what he described as his 'best performance in the UFC.' Ranked No. 12 in the division after a three-year grind, his exit from MMA's market-leader blindsided him somewhat. 'I was hoping after my last performance that I would be re-signed,' he said. Nonetheless, Buday chooses to look at the future with optimism as he's confident his skills are improving. There are also at least three organizations scrambling for his signature, he claimed. Buday said there is interest from the PFL, and that Oktagon MMA — a surging promotion in Europe — is also keen to bring its former champ back. 'I have some offers from other promoters all around the world,' he said. One other proposal was from GLORY Kickboxing, but Buday knocked back their advances. He wants his next move to stay within the realm of mixed martial arts. He would also spur any advances from KSW, if there were any, because he trains alongside Phil De Fries, the current KSW heavyweight champion. 'I will decline that offer instantly,' he said. 'I will not fight my teammates.' That leaves PFL and Oktagon. 'I like the interest from PFL, and also Oktagon MMA, where I was champion before the UFC,' he said, noting that he's leaning toward a return to the organization he fought for from 2018-21. 'They're doing incredible things and are No. 1 in Europe right now. Expanding big. Doing stadiums. Big promotion, and good for them.' If Buday continues sharpening his skills and starts finishing fights rather than simply winning them, then he hopes a return to the UFC is in the cards. It's a company he says he still loves. 'I want to thank them for making me the fighter and person I am today,' he said. 'If I do some good wins, good finishes, maybe they will be open to re-signing me.'
Yahoo
16 hours ago
- Yahoo
Millot and Al-Ahli push Atletico Madrid towards Napoli's Raspadori
Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli reportedly have an agreement in place for the signing of VfB Stuttgart attacking midfielder Enzo Millot, which could steer Atletico Madrid towards the signing of Italy international Giacomo Raspadori from Napoli. According to reports from Fabrizio Romano, Al-Ahli have verbal agreements with both Millot and Stuttgart, despite previous links with Atleti and Premier League side Tottenham. 🚨🇸🇦 EXCLUSIVE: Al Ahli agree deal to sign Enzo Millot from Stuttgart, here we go! Surprise move to hijack Atlético Madrid deal, despite Spurs links Millot will play for Al Ahli. Verbal agreement done on player/club side. Board and coach Jaissle with huge effort on this one. — Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 4, 2025 What Millot deal means for Napoli, Atletico Madrid and Raspadori As Atletico are now expected to miss out on the signing of the 23-year-old, reports indicate that their attention will revert to a different target in Raspadori. The Italy international, along with Millot and Juventus's Nico Gonzalez, have been mentioned in recent reports as potential attacking additions for Diego Simeone's side. According to updates from Raspadori's have recently travelled to Spain to hold discussions with Atletico Madrid. UDINE, ITALY – DECEMBER 14: Giacomo Raspadri of Napoli during the Serie A match between Udinese and Napoli at Stadio Friuli on December 14, 2024 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by) Curiously, Raspadori is managed by TMP Soccer, the same agency as compatriot Matteo Ruggeri, who has also joined Atletico Madrid in a permanent deal this summer after well over a decade with Atalanta. With Millot out of the picture, Atletico are expected to push forwards with an attempt to sign Raspadori, according to Calciomercato's report. Napoli, meanwhile, have no real intention to sell, but could reportedly be tempted by offers in the region of €35m.
Yahoo
19 hours ago
- Yahoo
Al Qadsiah land RSL starlet Al Juwayr
Roshn Saudi League side Al Qadsiah have announced the capture of 22-year-old Saudi international midfielder Musab Al Juwayr from Al Hilal on a permanent transfer. The youngster, who signed a five-year contract on Sunday, came through the ranks at Al Hilal but made his breakthrough in the RSL during the past two seasons in Al Shabab colours. There, he impressed on loan, winning the Young Player of the Month award by Roshn every single month of the 2024-25 campaign. Al Juwayr's 15 goal involvements in 31 matches earned him the inaugural RSL Young Player of the Season accolade to crown an impeccable season in the capital. The enterprising youngster also established himself as a regular for the Saudi Arabia national team, picking up 19 caps in which he scored six goals since making his international debut in January 2023. Al Juwayr is the latest to join Aramco-backed Al Qadsiah's strong recruitment drive this summer, with the Al Khobar side having already acquired Italian international forward Mateo Retegui from Atalanta and veteran forward Abdullah Al Salem from Al Khaleej. Only last week, the club also announced the return of experienced left-back Yasser Al Shahrani from Al Hilal. Al Qadsiah get their 2025-26 season under way in Hong Kong later this month, where they take on Al Nassr in the semi-final of the Saudi Super Cup before they embark on the new RSL campaign. Last season, upon their return to the top flight, they finished an excellent fourth.
