Football Clubs in Saudi Arabia Looking for Players

Can you believe that as a footballer, you could earn as much as $4,000 a week playing in Saudi Arabia’s third division? This is the fourth level in their football system. And it’s not just the $4,000 weekly, which adds up to about $200,000 a year, but this deal typically includes a free car and a house. I’ve talked to some people in Saudi Arabia and I’m going to share the answer with you in this post. If you want to play football at the top level, you can even go for the big boys in the top divisions but, of course, it’s going to be harder to break into the first 11. In this article, we will talk about the top football clubs in Saudi Arabia looking for players. Let’s first of all talk about the league structure.

Saud Arabia League Structure

Let me explain the structure of the Saudi Arabian football system. At the top, tier 1, is the Saudi Pro League with 18 clubs in the country. This includes clubs such as Al Nassr and Al Hilal, where players like Ronaldo and Neymar play. Then comes the second tier, the First Division League, also with 18 clubs spread across the country.

The third tier is the Second Division League, which has 32 clubs split into two groups: Group A and Group B, each with 16 clubs. The fourth tier, often referred to in the media as the Saudi Third Division, consists of 40 clubs divided into four groups: A, B, C, and D, with ten clubs each. Finally, there’s the fifth tier, the Saudi Fourth Division with smaller regional teams.

In the Saudi Third Division, there are 40 clubs, but only the top ones offer big contracts to a few players. So, in the third division, while these big contracts exist, they are limited to a few individuals. This creates a situation where countless amateur and professional players worldwide are competing for these contracts. They are attracted by the chance to play in a league with a not-so-high skill level but with big money rewards.

Football Clubs in Saudi Arabia Looking for Players

So, we are actually going to talk about 20 clubs in total, including the best, top tier clubs in Saudi Arabia where you have the Ronaldos and then the lower third division where you can easily sign a contract. Let’s begin with the 3rd division because it’s easier here than at the top-flight football.

Saudi 3rd Division Looking for Players

1. Al-Diriyah Club

Based in Riyadh, Al-Diriyah Club is actively one of the football clubs in Saudi Arabia looking for players. They are particularly interested in versatile midfielders and defenders. They also offer football trials in Saudi Arabia to find the best talents.

2. MAl-Rawdhah Club

In Jeddah, we have the Al-Rawdhah Club. This club is looking for good players and they have a reputation for growing young talent too. They are on the lookout for players, especially strikers and wingers. You can join this club and showcase your skills in the Saudi 3rd Division.

3. Najran SC

If you really vibe with a passionate fan base, then Najran has it. This football club is welcoming to foreign footballers in Saudi Arabia. They currently need two goalkeepers and central defenders.

4. Al-Khaleej Club

Based in Saihat, Al-Khaleej Club is looking for fresh talent in Saudi football. The club is interested in young, dynamic players in all positions, with midfield creativity.

5. Al-Orobah FC

We also have Al-Orobah FC in search of foreign players to add depth to their squad. They need attacking midfielders and full-backs. You can also get football trials in Saudi Arabia here.

6. Al-Bukayriyah FC

If you would like to move to Al Qassim Province, you can join Al-Bukayriyah FC. They need young, energetic forwards and central midfielders.

7. Al-Jabalain FC

At number 7, we have Al-Jabalain FC. Al-Jabalain FC is a good football club in Saudi Arabia, and you should fit in well here as a footballer. They value players with good tactical understanding and discipline.

8. Al-Ansar FC

If you would like to be based in Medina, Al-Ansar FC is also looking to add depth to their squad, especially in the attacking and central midfield positions. The club is known for its attacking style of play.

9. Al-Arabi Al-Saudi Club

Located in Unaizah, Al-Arabi Al-Saudi Club is in search of players, particularly in the winger and defensive midfielder roles. They need quick, skillful play for their fast-paced football style.

10. Al-Watani Club

From Tabuk, Al-Watani Club is looking for new talent, particularly strikers and central defenders.

Next, let’s talk about the top-tier division clubs where you can get football trials in Saudi Arabia and eventually a contract. It is actually harder to find a contract here because they really are looking for big names to strengthen the league currently.

Best Saudi Arabian Football Clubs Looking for Players

1. Al-Hilal Football Club

As a dominant force in the Saudi Professional League (SPL), Al-Hilal has a rich history, including multiple SPL titles and AFC Champions League victories. This football club in Saudi Arabia is looking for players with top talent and is always on the lookout to bolster their squad. The club has acquired Ruben Neves from Wolverhampton Wanderers.

2. Al-Ittihad Football Club

Another powerhouse in the SPL, Al-Ittihad has a storied rivalry with Al-Hilal. This club has successfully signed N’Golo Kante, a former Chelsea player known for his exceptional skills in both the Premier League and Champions League.

3. Al-Nassr Football Club

If you have what it takes to play with Ronaldo, then Al-Nassr is the Saudi Arabia football club where you want to play football. Home to the legendary Cristiano Ronaldo, Al-Nassr is a formidable team in the SPL.

4. Al-Shabab Football Club

Al-Shabab is another club in Saudi Arabia that often looks for players. They have really good team performance and standings in the SPL.

5. Al-Ahli Jeddah Club

Al-Ahli Jeddah is another club you can play for in Saudi Arabia. This club has brought in several high-profile players. Franck Kessie, after a stint at AC Milan and a brief period at Barcelona, joined Al Ahli, Allan Saint-Maximin, from Newcastle, and Riyad Mahrez from Manchester City.​

6. Al-Faisaly

Al-Faisaly is a club that has shown what it’s capable of doing in the Saudi Professional League. As a club trying to make the fans happy, Al-Faisaly typically tries to strengthen its squad with new talents. This new talent is expected to improve its league position and possibly win a medal. So, if you can perform consistently, this is the team for you.

7. Al-Fateh

Al-Fateh is in the market for new players too. If you think you can help this club improve, then what are you waiting for? Al-Fateh loves competitive football and will welcome any player who can introduce that competitiveness into the team. This should help Al-Fateh become a force in the Saudi league.

8. Al-Raed

Al-Raed is also looking for players, specifically skilled ones. Can you help this team climb up the table in the league? It doesn’t even matter what position you play right now, as long as you have something talented for this club’s future.

9. Al-Taawoun

This football club participates in the Saudi Professional League. Now, Al-Taawoun doesn’t joke when it comes to taking up any opportunities to strengthen the squad with quality players. Its current team isn’t doing well and will do with some new signings to stay competitive in the league and maybe even win some cup competitions.

10. Al-Wehda

This club is another team that often recruits new talents. I found that they’ve been struggling to improve their squad strength. So, right now, the solution is to solve the problem of making a mark in the league to impress fans. Can you do this? If yes, you just need your football CV ready, alongside some videos displaying your talent.

What is the Average Salary of a Football Player in Saudi Arabia?

Let’s compare Saudi Arabia with Germany’s third-tier football. In Germany, players usually earn about 50,000 Euros annually, which is way less. However, the football level in Germany is much higher than in Saudi Arabia’s third division. After the top league in Saudi Arabia, the Saudi Pro League spent a lot of money signing famous players such as Ronaldo, Neymar, Benzema, and others. Saudi Arabia wants to use this buzz to improve their lower leagues. They are trying to attract players from around the world to raise the quality of these leagues.

We all know about the top players with amazing experience in European football. They’re earning between 100 to 200 million dollars a year with incredible contracts. It’s really astonishing. These are special cases. Their fame, their brand, and their achievements in football justify such high earnings in Saudi Arabia’s view. Then there’s the next level of players who have also been successful in Europe. They earn about 10 to 50 million dollars a year. Players like Mahrez, Fabinho, Koulibaly, Brozovic – they get really impressive contracts too.

In the top division, things are different, but as you go down to the second, third, and fourth divisions, teams can only have up to 4 foreign players, and this depends on the league. I’ve spoken with some contacts in Saudi Arabia, and they confirmed that those headlines about contracts offering $3,000 to $4,000 a week. So, this will total $200,000 a year for you.

However, these are only for the top clubs in the third division, and they are specifically for those limited foreign player spots.

So, if you are an international player with a lot of experience, one of these lower-tier clubs might want you. You’ll be given a good contract to play in any Saudi Arabian league where the overall skill level isn’t that high when you compare it to European football. However, the rest of the team will mostly consist of Saudi nationals and athletes from other African and Arabian countries. And those players usually don’t earn nearly as much money.

There’s a pattern in the levels between the 3rd division and the top division of Saudi Arabian football. Now, there are some famous footballers and coaches here with really good contracts. However, these are just a few cases in each team.

For example, in the second tier, Robbie Fowler was hired as the manager of Al-Qaedicia, and it’s rumored he’s making a couple of million a year. So, a few famous names do receive incredible contracts. And this is mostly due to their fame and experience in the game. But all in all, most of the players don’t have such high-paying contracts.

How Many Foreign Players Are There in Saudi Team?

But what’s often overlooked is that in the top division of Saudi Arabian football, there’s a limit of 8 foreign players per team. This means that aside from those 8 spots and huge contracts, the rest of the team is mostly local players. Their salaries follow the national average and can be up to a couple of million dollars a year, and it really depends on the club.

How Do I Contact Saudi Football Club?

Football is all about connections. The top clubs in the Saudi Third Division, which offer these contracts, have a network of coaches, scouts, agents, and players globally. They use this network to find a few international players with a lot of experience to offer these contracts. These players are expected to come in and significantly impact the season, being key players on the team.

If you are not part of this network, your chances of getting one of these contracts are almost none. However, ‘almost none’ isn’t the same as ‘none.’ There are still steps you can take, and here’s why it’s worth trying: Saudi Arabia is pouring a lot of money into football and sports. This investment means the entire Middle East region, including countries like the UAE and Qatar, will likely start to compete the same way.

In the next 5 to 10 years, you are likely to see more opportunities, better contracts, and facilities in Middle Eastern football. But for now, here are the steps you can take:

1. Start expanding your network right now

You need a LinkedIn account. So create one if you don’t have it. I see that a lot of players undervalue LinkedIn. You need to understand that football is a job, and you need this professional profile of yourself. I’m currently doing this myself. For example, I recently connected with someone from the management team at Al Nassr.

2. Create a Professional Profile

On LinkedIn, make sure you have a ‘very’ professional profile. Then, search for terms like ‘Saudi Arabia football,’ ‘Al Nassr,’ or other clubs. This will show you a list of football professionals working in various clubs and leagues. Start connecting with them, introduce yourself, and begin building relationships.

There are different ways you can build your network and connections, and that’s a topic for another post. If you are interested, let me know. But for now, I just wanted to answer the big question everyone’s been asking and encourage you to start making connections if you want to plant football in the Middle East.

3. Get Involved in Middle Eastern football market

So, it is possible to land a contract that pays $4,000 a week in the Saudi third division  Yes, it is but it can be tough. We are talking about just a handful of contracts with thousands of players worldwide trying to get them. Even though it’s tough, I still recommend getting involved in the Middle Eastern football market. It’s a move that could pay off in the long run. In the next few years, there will likely be more opportunities in football, not just for players but for coaches and other roles in the industry.

4. Work harder to expand your football network

Yes, luck happens when preparation meets opportunity. What you can always control is how well you prepare. So, ask yourself, how ready are you? Take action based on that.

5. Start Reaching Out to Saudi Arabian Football Clubs

So, I’m just going to give you contacts of some of the Saudi Arabian clubs you can contact right now. For example:

1. Al-Hilal Saudi Club

• +966 11 431 2222
• info@alhilal.com
• alhilal.com

2. Al-Diriyah Club

• Email: info@saff.com.sa
• Phone: +966 11 8292888

3. Najran SC

• Phone: +966 (38) 648289
• Website: www.najranclub.com

These are just 3 examples. You can reach out to more of them. You just have to search for the contact of the specific Saudi Arabia club. You can also request them using the comment section.

READ ALSO:

• How to Join a Football Club in Europe
• How to Get Scouted and Join Football Clubs in Australia
• Football Clubs in Cyprus Looking for Players
• Apply to join MANCHESTER UNITED youth academy

So, we have been able to look at 20 football clubs in Saudi Arabia you can join to play football right now. These clubs won’t just sign you; they need to be sure that they are making the right investment. This is why it really helps to build a strong football portfolio. If you found this post helpful and informative, and you have any questions about football in Saudi Arabia, please don’t hesitate to use the comment section. Also, share this post.