Al-Ittihad bring in Dion Lopy to replace departing Fabinho

Al-Ittihad have signed Senegal midfielder Dion Lopy from Spanish club Almeria on a three-year contract, making him their first new overseas arrival of the summer transfer window.

The Saudi Pro League club confirmed the agreement in a video published on its official account on X. Lopy’s contract will run until 2029.

Al-Ittihad did not disclose the financial terms of the deal. However, previous media reports said the club would pay Almeria €13m in instalments, with the Spanish side also entitled to 10% of any future transfer fee received for the player.

The 24-year-old is expected to provide an alternative to Brazilian midfielder Fabinho, whose contract expired after the end of last season and who has since left the club.

Lopy is primarily a defensive midfielder, but can also operate in a deeper central midfield role. His versatility is expected to give Al-Ittihad additional options in the centre of the pitch as they prepare for the new campaign.

He becomes the club’s first new foreign signing of the current summer window. Al-Ittihad had previously exercised the purchase option in the contract of Cameroon defender Stefan Keller, who had been on loan from the Cypriot club Limassol.

Lopy has played for Almeria since 2023, when he joined from Stade de Reims. During his time with the Spanish club, he made 105 appearances, scoring four goals and supplying six assists.

At international level, Lopy has represented Senegal since 2023. He has won five caps but has yet to score or provide an assist for his country.

He was not called up for either the Africa Cup of Nations or the World Cup during the current year.

The move to Al-Ittihad gives Lopy the opportunity to continue his career in Saudi Arabia after two seasons with Almeria. His arrival also marks the beginning of the club’s overseas recruitment for the summer, while the departure of Fabinho leaves him with an important role in midfield.

Al-Ittihad’s announcement did not include further details about the transfer beyond the length of Lopy’s contract. The reported fee and future-sale clause remain based on previous reports rather than figures released by the club.