Al Shabab agree deal for Senegal goalkeeper Mory Diaw as final foreign signing

Al Shabab have reached an agreement to sign Senegal goalkeeper Mory Diaw from French club Le Havre during the current summer transfer window, a move which is expected to complete the Saudi side’s foreign recruitment for the season.

The agreement was reported by Saudi newspaper Al Youm, which said the 33-year-old goalkeeper is set to sign his contract on Monday.

Diaw was not involved in Le Havre’s Ligue 1 match against Monaco, which Le Havre lost 1-0. His absence came as reports of his imminent move to Al Shabab gathered pace.

The deal could also end speculation linking Al Ahly defender Yasser Ibrahim with a move to the Riyadh-based club. Al Shabab had been pursuing Ibrahim during the current transfer period, with Saudi newspaper Okaz reporting that the club had offered him an annual salary of $1.6m.

However, Al Ahly have made their own proposal to retain the defender. FilGoal.com reported that the Egyptian club had offered Ibrahim a two-year contract extension worth 25m Egyptian pounds per season.

Saudi Pro League clubs are permitted to register a maximum of 10 foreign players in their squads, although no more than eight foreign players can feature in a single match. With Al Shabab seeking to make Diaw their final overseas signing, the goalkeeper’s arrival would leave the club with no additional foreign place for Ibrahim.

Diaw has played for a number of clubs in France and elsewhere in Europe during his career. His former teams include Paris Saint-Germain, Clermont Foot and Le Havre in France, as well as Lausanne and Zurich in Switzerland and Lokomotiv Plovdiv in Bulgaria.

He has made eight international appearances for Senegal.

Last season, Diaw played 30 matches across the French league and cup competitions. He conceded 41 goals and kept seven clean sheets during that campaign.

Al Shabab have endured a difficult start to the new season and are still waiting for their first victory. They opened their league campaign with a 3-1 defeat by Al Qadsiah before being eliminated from the King’s Cup by Al Wehda, losing that match 3-2.

Their second Saudi league fixture ended in a goalless draw against Al Khaleej.

The club are now attempting to strengthen their squad with Diaw, whose experience in Ligue 1 and international football is expected to provide competition in goal. His proposed arrival comes as Al Shabab look to improve results while finalising their foreign-player list for the season.