DR Congo captain Chancel Mbemba agrees move to Saudi Pro League newcomers Diriyah SC

Chancel Mbemba has signed for Diriyah SC after leaving LOSC, with the Saudi club confirming the arrival of the Democratic Republic of the Congo defender on Wednesday, 5 August.

The 31-year-old was a free agent following the end of his spell with LOSC and has now secured a new destination in the Middle East. His move to Diriyah SC gives the newly promoted Saudi Pro League side an experienced central defender as it prepares for the 2026/27 season.

Diriyah SC earned promotion to the Saudi Pro League for the first time in its history of participation at that level and is intending to establish itself among the country’s elite. The club believes Mbemba’s experience can strengthen its defence as it faces the demands of top-flight football.

Mbemba is captain of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and has made 111 appearances for the national team. His international experience makes him one of the most senior figures in the Diriyah SC squad, while his arrival represents a significant addition for a club whose immediate ambition is to avoid relegation.

The defender was born in Kinshasa and remains an important figure for the Leopards. His record of 111 caps underlines the scale of the experience he will bring to a team entering the Saudi Pro League for the 2026/27 campaign.

Mbemba’s departure from LOSC brought his latest chapter in France to an end, but he will now continue his career in Saudi Arabia. Having been without a club since leaving the French side, he has reached an agreement with Diriyah SC and will join a team taking its place in the country’s top division.

The transfer also marks a new stage in the career of a player who has represented the Democratic Republic of the Congo at the highest international level. Diriyah SC is relying on that background, together with his status as national captain, to add authority and experience to its back line.

According to Transfermarkt, Mbemba is currently valued at 2 million euros. During his time with LOSC, he earned an annual salary of 2,730,000 euros, equivalent to 1,791,000,000 FCFA.

His contract with LOSC has ended, allowing Diriyah SC to complete the signing without a transfer fee. The Saudi club’s announcement on Wednesday confirmed that the experienced defender will be part of its squad for its first season in the Saudi Pro League.

For Mbemba, the agreement opens a fresh chapter in the Middle East. For Diriyah SC, the signing is an attempt to add proven international leadership to a side preparing for the challenge of life in Saudi Arabia’s top division.