Riyad Mahrez set to join Al Shamal after leaving Al Ahli Saudi

Riyad Mahrez is expected to sign for Al Shamal within the next few hours, three months after leaving Al Ahli Saudi.

The 35-year-old Algeria winger retired from international football this summer after the 2026 World Cup, but intends to continue his club career in Qatar.

Mahrez’s next destination had been the subject of considerable speculation in recent weeks. Reports had linked him with Spanish side Deportivo La Coruna and Brazilian club Botafogo, while a move to the Turkish league had also been suggested.

However, Algerian website DZfoot reports that Mahrez will join Al Shamal. The former Manchester City and Leicester City player had spent several days in Dubai working on his fitness before completing the move.

At Al Shamal, Mahrez will be reunited with Algeria team-mate Baghdad Bounedjah. The Qatar club also has two other Algerian players in its squad, Omar Rafiq and Nassim Ben Aissa.

Al Shamal are competing in the AFC Champions League Elite this season. Mahrez won the competition with Al Ahli Saudi in its last two editions.

The winger enjoyed a highly successful spell in the Premier League, winning the title five times. He claimed the trophy four times with Manchester City and once with Leicester City, while he also won the UEFA Champions League with Manchester City.