Record-breaking Talal Haji set to leave Al-Ittihad in loan swap

Talal Haji is close to leaving Al-Ittihad after the club agreed a loan exchange with Al-Ettifaq during the current summer transfer window.

The Saudi newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat reports that Al-Ittihad will send the 19-year-old forward to Al-Ettifaq, with goalkeeper Faisal Al-Shammari moving in the opposite direction.

Haji’s proposed departure comes only months after he set a historic record in the Jowy Elite League, the Saudi Arabian under-21 competition. He became the first player to score six goals in a single match in the tournament.

The striker recorded his double hat-trick during Al-Ittihad’s 7-1 victory over Al-Bukayriyah on 8 March, in the 18th round of the Saudi under-21 league season. His six-goal display also moved him into the competition’s list of leading scorers.

Haji first attracted widespread attention at Al-Ittihad around three years ago, when he was promoted to the senior side in the summer of 2023. His arrival in the first team coincided with the club signing French striker Karim Benzema from Real Madrid.

Despite being only 16, Haji made 13 appearances during his first senior season. Two of those matches were full games in which he replaced Benzema, who was unavailable. Across those appearances, he scored twice and provided three assists.

His progress subsequently slowed, however, and Al-Ittihad sent him on loan to Al-Riyadh in 2025. Haji scored only once in 15 appearances during that spell.

The proposed move to Al-Ettifaq would therefore give the young forward another opportunity to continue his development, while Al-Ittihad would strengthen its goalkeeping options with the arrival of Al-Shammari.

The transfer window for the Saudi under-21 league remains open until 20 September. The registration period for the Saudi Pro League, known as Roshn Saudi League, closed earlier, on 6 September.