Al Ahli back Marino Pusic with Artem Bondarenko move despite fan anger

Al Ahli have agreed a deal to sign Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder Artem Bondarenko, completing their seventh signing of the current summer transfer window despite strong opposition from some of the club’s supporters.

The Saudi Arabian club have reached an agreement with the Ukrainian side for a permanent transfer, according to Saudi newspaper Okaz.

Bondarenko will reportedly join Al Ahli for a fee of 8m euros and is set to sign a three-year contract. The agreement will also include an option to extend his stay for a further season.

The 25-year-old Ukraine international has been brought in to fill the midfield role previously occupied by Franck Kessie, who left Al Ahli after his contract expired at the end of last season.

Bondarenko’s move has been driven by Al Ahli manager Marino Pusic, who already knows the player from his time coaching him at Shakhtar Donetsk. Pusic is understood to have wanted a reunion with the midfielder as part of his plans for the Saudi Pro League side.

However, news of the proposed transfer was met with significant anger among Al Ahli fans. Supporters had hoped the club would recruit a more established or higher-profile midfielder and expressed their dissatisfaction when reports of Bondarenko’s arrival emerged.

The agreement nevertheless means Bondarenko will become Al Ahli’s seventh signing of the summer. He follows Portugal winger Francisco Trincao, Armenia international Eduard Spertsyan, Gambian forward Aboubakar Sidiki Conteh, Naif Masoud, Meshaal Al-Mutairi and Abdullah Radif in joining the club.

Bondarenko developed through the Shakhtar Donetsk system and has represented the Ukrainian club at senior level. His arrival gives Pusic another midfield option following Kessie’s departure, while also strengthening the manager’s influence over Al Ahli’s recruitment during the transfer window.

The deal is expected to see Bondarenko commit his immediate future to Al Ahli for at least three seasons, with the possibility of remaining at the club for a fourth campaign if the extension clause is activated.

Al Ahli’s decision to proceed with the transfer despite the negative reaction from their supporters underlines Pusic’s confidence in the midfielder. The club will now hope Bondarenko can adapt quickly to the Saudi Pro League and justify the decision to make him one of their main summer additions.

The transfer also continues Al Ahli’s efforts to reshape their squad after the end of last season, with Bondarenko specifically identified as the replacement for Kessie in midfield. Although fans had called for a stronger name in that position, the club have backed their manager’s preferred choice and finalised the seventh deal of the summer.