Al-Kholood sign Al-Ittihad goalkeeper Hamad Al-Shanqiti on season-long loan

Al-Kholood have completed the loan signing of Al-Ittihad goalkeeper Hamad Al-Shanqiti for the coming season, with the Saudi Arabia Under-23 international joining the club’s pre-season camp in Spain.

The deal, announced on Monday, sees Al-Shanqiti move from Al-Ittihad to the First Division side as the club look to strengthen their squad ahead of the new campaign.

Al-Kholood confirmed the agreement in an official statement, saying: “With passion and ambition to show his talent to the world… the starting goalkeeper of the Saudi Arabia Under-23 national team, Al-Shanqiti, is now a Kholood player.”

The club added that the 23-year-old has already linked up with their training camp in Spain as preparations intensify for the 2026-27 season.

Al-Shanqiti joined Al-Ittihad in the summer of 2024 on a free transfer following the expiry of his contract with Al-Shabab, signing a five-year deal with the Jeddah club.

The goalkeeper made five appearances for Al-Ittihad last season, four of them in the Saudi Pro League and one in the Saudi Super Cup, deputising in goal for the “Tigers” during the campaign.

Al-Kholood’s fifth summer signing

Al-Shanqiti becomes Al-Kholood’s fifth acquisition of the current transfer window as they reshape their squad.

He follows the arrivals of Guinean player Sidouba Cisse, Spanish player Koba Da Costa, as well as Abdulrahman Al-Obaid and Mohammed Al-Rashidi.

Al-Kholood’s management see the loan as an opportunity to add competition and experience in goal, while offering Al-Shanqiti regular first-team football after limited minutes at Al-Ittihad last term.

No further details were disclosed by either club regarding any purchase option or the financial terms of the agreement, with both sides simply confirming that the move is a loan for the upcoming season.