Al Hilal sign Al Taawoun defender Mohammed Mahazri on three-year deal

Al Hilal have completed the signing of right-back Mohammed Mahazri from Al Taawoun on a three-year contract running until the summer of 2029.

The Saudi Pro League champions confirmed the deal on Tuesday, with the 24-year-old set to link up immediately with his new team-mates at their pre-season training camp in Austria as preparations continue for the coming campaign.

Mahazri, who can also operate as a defensive midfielder, has been brought in as part of Al Hilal’s drive to strengthen the right side of their defence after a troubled season in that position.

Addressing a problem position

Al Hilal endured significant difficulties at right-back last term, most notably following the injury to Portugal international Joao Cancelo. His fitness problems and subsequent omission from the club’s domestic squad restricted his involvement largely to Asian competition.

Further disruption came when Hamad Al-Yami also suffered injury, leaving the coaching staff short of options on the right flank of defence for extended spells of the season.

Club management had therefore targeted the right-back role as a priority area for reinforcement during the current transfer window, with Mahazri identified as the player to fill that gap.

Rising defender earns major move

Mahazri, 24, came through the youth system at Al Ettifaq but struggled to break into their first team on a consistent basis. In search of regular minutes, he initially left the club to join Al Taawoun on loan.

After impressing during that spell, the move was made permanent in the summer of last year, when Mahazri signed a three-year contract with Al Taawoun.

His performances over the past season, particularly at right-back, drew attention from Al Hilal, who moved to secure his services by buying out the remaining period of his deal with Al Taawoun.

The transfer enables Al Hilal to add a Saudi defender in a position of need, while Mahazri now steps up to one of the country’s biggest clubs after establishing himself as a key figure at Al Taawoun.