RC Lens, a prominent Ligue 1 club, has officially announced the season-long loan acquisition of 26-year-old Saudi Arabian international Saul Abdulhamid. This move sees the defender join the French side for the upcoming season.
Abdulhamid was initially expected to join Toulouse FC earlier this summer. His parent club, AS Roma, had reportedly been waiting to secure new signings before approving his departure. The arrival of Wesley at the Serie A giants appeared to clear the path for Abdulhamid`s move to Toulouse. However, RC Lens, who have maintained a long-standing interest in the defender, successfully intervened and secured his transfer instead, effectively redirecting the deal.
The Saudi international became a primary target for Lens, affectionately known as `Les Sang et Or` (The Blood and Gold), after their plans to re-sign Przemyslaw Frankowski from Galatasaray proved financially unfeasible. Frankowski subsequently joined Stade Rennais over the weekend, leading Lens to finalize their pursuit of Abdulhamid.
Abdulhamid`s agreement with Lens is a season-long loan arrangement that includes a non-obligatory option to buy, providing flexibility for both clubs. This transfer marks the second piece of business between AS Roma and RC Lens in the current transfer window, following Neil El-Aynaoui`s earlier move from Lens to the Italian capital club.