Al Ahli’s foreign-player clear-out gathers pace as Matteo Dams nears Club Brugge move

Al Ahli are expected to part company with a third foreign player during the current summer transfer window, with Belgian defender Matteo Dams set to join Club Brugge within the next 48 hours.

The proposed move follows the Saudi club’s decisions regarding Algeria winger Riyad Mahrez and Ivory Coast midfielder Franck Kessie. Al Ahli terminated Mahrez’s contract with one year still remaining, while Kessie was allowed to leave after the club chose not to renew his deal when it expired at the end of last season.

According to respected journalist Sacha Tavolieri, Dams will complete a return to Belgium after an agreement was reached between Al Ahli, Club Brugge and the player.

Tavolieri announced the development in a post on his personal account on X, saying the transfer was expected to become official within two days.

“✅🔵⚫️ DONE DEAL💬 Club Brugge’s expected to make Matteo Dams official in the next 48 hours.🇧🇪 All completed and sealed between clubs and player.#mercato#JPL”

Dams, 22, would return to Belgian football 12 years after leaving the country as a young player in the academy at Antwerp. He subsequently moved to the Netherlands, joining PSV Eindhoven, where he remained before completing his transfer to Al Ahli in January 2025.

Since arriving at the Saudi club, Dams has made 38 appearances in all competitions. He has not scored during that period but has provided three assists.

His expected departure would make him the latest overseas player to leave Al Ahli during a summer of significant change. Mahrez’s contract was ended before its scheduled conclusion, while the club also decided against extending Kessie’s stay after the midfielder’s agreement came to an end following the previous campaign.

Dams’ next destination is expected to be Club Brugge, one of Belgium’s leading clubs, with the transfer announcement anticipated before the 48-hour deadline mentioned by Tavolieri. The deal would bring the defender back to his home country after his spells with Antwerp’s academy, PSV Eindhoven and Al Ahli.

The move would also end Dams’ spell in Saudi Arabia only 18 months after he joined Al Ahli. During that time, he featured across several competitions and contributed three assists, although he did not find the net.

Al Ahli’s summer business has therefore already included the departure of Mahrez and the end of Kessie’s contract, with Dams now poised to become the third foreign player to leave the club in the current transfer window.