Wijnaldum compares Al-Ittihad fans to Liverpool support after debut win

Giorginio Wijnaldum says the welcome he received from Al-Ittihad supporters reminded him of his time at Liverpool after making his first official appearance for the club.

The Dutch midfielder came on as a substitute as Al-Ittihad beat hosts Al-Faisaly 3-1 at Al Majma’ah Sports City Stadium on Friday in the seventh round of the Roshn Saudi League.

Wijnaldum joined Al-Ittihad on a free transfer after his contract with former club Al-Ettifaq came to an end. His introduction against Al-Faisaly marked his first outing for the Tigers.

“It is a new beginning and I am extremely happy to play for a club like Al-Ittihad, which has amazing supporters, as well as a great team, manager and staff,” Wijnaldum told Thmanyah after the match.

“I was very happy about that, and of course I am also pleased with the game because we won 3-1 in my first match with the team. That is a good thing.”

Wijnaldum also thanked the Al-Ittihad fans for the way they received him and for the feeling they had given him since his arrival.

“All I can say is that I am very happy. I thank the Al-Ittihad supporters for the way they welcomed me and for the feeling they gave me,” he said.

“Their support reminded me, to some extent, of Liverpool. You feel the love of the fans, and that makes you want to give that love back to them.

“You want to build a relationship and a connection with the supporters on the pitch, and this is a good start.”

The 34-year-old said he would respond to the fans’ backing by committing himself fully on the field as Al-Ittihad seek to restore success to the club.

“What I can promise the supporters is that I will give everything physically on the pitch, and that we will all give everything we have to bring success back to the club with this team and this staff,” he added.

“Things will become much easier with the support of the fans. What I hope is that we can maintain this bond between us, so that I can give everything on the pitch and we can achieve beautiful things this season.”