Al Ahli add Ukraine midfielder Artem Bondarenko to summer squad despite supporters’ concerns

Al Ahli have completed the signing of Ukraine midfielder Artem Bondarenko, making him the Saudi club’s seventh addition of the current summer transfer window.

The Jeddah-based side confirmed the deal on their official X account, publishing a video welcoming Bondarenko to the squad and announcing that the transfer had been completed.

Reports in the Saudi and Ukrainian media say Al Ahli will pay €6m for the 26-year-old, with a further €1m potentially due in add-ons. Bondarenko is also expected to earn an annual salary of €2m under the agreement.

The move has prompted a strong reaction from Al Ahli supporters, many of whom had hoped the club would recruit a more established midfielder. Their frustration has been heightened by the departure of Cote d’Ivoire international Franck Kessie at the end of last season.

Head coach Marino Pusic is understood to have insisted on completing the deal. The Dutchman reportedly pointed to the reception received by French midfielder Valentin Atangana when he joined Al Ahli, with supporters initially unconvinced before the player went on to demonstrate his quality.

Bondarenko becomes the latest part of an extensive summer rebuild at Al Ahli. The club’s other new arrivals are Portugal winger Francisco Trincao, Armenia international Eduard Spertsyan, Gambian forward Abubakar Sidiq Kinteh, Nayef Masoud, Mishaal Al-Mutairi and Abdullah Al-Radif.

The midfielder could make his first appearance for Al Ahli on Saturday, when the team host Abha at Alinma Stadium in the second round of the Saudi Pro League, also known as the Roshn Saudi League.

Al Ahli began the new campaign with their squad reshaped during the summer transfer period, and Bondarenko’s arrival gives Pusic another midfield option following Kessie’s exit. However, the announcement has shown that the club’s recruitment decisions remain under close scrutiny from supporters, particularly after expectations of a higher-profile replacement for the Ivorian midfielder.

The official announcement was accompanied by the message: “Welcome Artem Bondarenko to the club’s squad.”