Pululu joins Al-Hazem after prolific spell in Poland

Al-Hazem have signed Congolese striker Afimico Pululu on a free transfer, with the 27-year-old brought in to replace former forward Omar Al-Somah for next season.

The Saudi club confirmed the move in a video published on its official account on X. Pululu joins from Polish side Jagiellonia Białystok, where he established himself as one of the team’s leading attacking players.

The announcement confirms a report by Kooora on 18 July, which said Pululu had completed medical examinations in Tunisia ahead of a proposed move to Al-Hazem during the current summer transfer window.

Pululu will take over from Syria international Omar Al-Somah, who left Al-Hazem after the end of last season. Al-Somah spent one campaign with the club, scoring nine goals and providing one assist in 26 appearances.

The new Al-Hazem signing enjoyed an impressive campaign with Jagiellonia Białystok last season, scoring 21 goals and contributing eight assists across 47 matches in all competitions.

His most notable individual achievement came in the 2024-2025 season, when he finished as the UEFA Conference League’s leading scorer with eight goals.

Those performances also attracted interest from Egyptian club Al Ahly, who reportedly opened negotiations to sign Pululu during the previous winter transfer window. However, the proposed move ultimately failed to materialise.

Pululu began his professional career with Swiss club Basel, being promoted to the first team in 2019. He moved to German side Greuther Furth in 2022 before joining Jagiellonia Białystok the following year.

During three years with the Polish club, Pululu made 134 appearances, scoring 56 goals and supplying 17 assists. His ability to operate as a winger as well as a central striker gives Al-Hazem another option in attack as they prepare for the new season.

Jagiellonia Białystok’s former forward now faces the task of filling the gap left by Al-Somah, who was Al-Hazem’s main attacking figure during his single season at the club. Al-Hazem have moved quickly to secure a replacement, completing the deal for Pululu without a transfer fee.