Al-Ittihad Signs Left-Back Fares Abdi from Neom

Al-Ittihad have moved quickly and decisively in the summer market, sealing the signing of left-back Fares Abdi from Neom after wrapping up the final financial and contractual details in recent hours.

The club announced the deal across their official channels, confirming what had been an increasingly clear priority for head coach Jens Wissing: strengthen the left flank and find a successor to the late Mario Metaj. Wissing pushed hard for Abdi, placing him at the top of a shortlist that featured several candidates for the role.

In the end, the 27-year-old won that internal battle. The Tigers wanted reliability, energy, and experience in Saudi football. Abdi offered all three.

Born in California, Abdi’s football education began on American pitches before his career took a decisive turn in 2020, when he arrived in the Saudi league with Al-Wehda. From there, he built a solid domestic résumé, turning out for Al-Qadsiah and Al-Fayha and adapting to different systems and expectations across the league.

Last summer he joined Neom, where he became a regular presence. Thirty-four matches, three assists, and a season that quietly underlined his consistency rather than chasing headlines.

That body of work has now earned him a move to one of the country’s most demanding clubs. For Al-Ittihad, this is more than just another squad addition; it is a targeted response to a clear tactical need on the left side of defence, a position that carries emotional weight after Metaj’s passing.

For Abdi, it is the biggest stage of his career so far. A Californian-raised full-back, shaped in Saudi Arabia’s league, now stepping into a dressing room built to compete on every front.