Al-Ittihad add Mukhtar Ali to six-player summer intake

Al-Ittihad have completed the signing of Mukhtar Ali from Al-Ettifaq, making the 28-year-old their sixth arrival of the summer transfer window.

The Saudi club confirmed the deal on Saturday evening, with Ali signing a three-year contract. His arrival is intended to strengthen Al-Ittihad’s midfield and provide coach Laurent Blanc’s side with greater flexibility before the new season begins.

Ali’s versatility was a key factor behind the move. His primary position is defensive midfield, but he can operate in every central midfield role and is also capable of playing at centre-back.

Al-Ittihad moved for the player after Hamad Al-Ghamdi suffered a serious injury during the club’s pre-season camp. Al-Ghamdi tore his anterior cruciate ligament in a friendly against South African side Orlando Pirates, leaving the club searching for a replacement who could offer additional options in midfield.

Ali becomes the latest addition to a squad that had already secured five deals during the current summer window. Al-Ittihad activated the purchase clause in Serbian defender Jan-Carlo Simic’s agreement and also signed Stefan Keller, Fares Abdi, Dion Lopy and Rakan Kaabi.

The club announced Ali’s arrival through its official account on X, confirming that the midfielder would remain at Al-Ittihad for the next three years. His ability to cover several positions is expected to give the team more depth both in the middle of the pitch and in defence.

Born in 1997, Ali began his football education in the academy system at Chelsea. He represented the English club’s youth team and helped them win the FA Youth Cup in the 2015 and 2016 seasons.

He later moved to the Netherlands, where he spent time on loan with Vitesse. The midfielder returned to Saudi Arabia in 2019 after joining Al-Nassr, beginning a series of spells with clubs in the domestic game.

Ali subsequently played for Al-Fateh and Al-Tai before joining Al-Ettifaq at the start of 2025. He signed a four-and-a-half-year contract with the club, but his time there has now been cut short by the move to Al-Ittihad.

The transfer gives Al-Ittihad a player with experience of both Saudi and European football, while also addressing the squad vacancy created by Al-Ghamdi’s injury. Ali’s capacity to perform in midfield or defence offers the club another tactical option as preparations continue for the new campaign.