Diriyah strengthen midfield with Al Ahli’s Enzo Millot after Malcom move falls through

Al Ahli have confirmed the departure of French midfielder Enzo Millot, who will join newly promoted Diriyah on loan for the 2025-26 season during the current summer transfer window.

The move comes after Diriyah came close to signing Brazilian forward Malcom from Al Hilal, only for the player to leave for UAE club Al Jazira on Friday. Diriyah have now turned to Millot as they continue to build their squad for their first season in the Roshn Saudi League.

Al Ahli announced on Saturday that they had agreed to allow Millot to spend one sporting season with Diriyah. The midfielder will therefore remain in Saudi football after one campaign with Al Ahli, where he made a significant contribution during a successful period for the club.

Millot joined Al Ahli last summer from German side Stuttgart and signed a contract running until the summer of 2028. Despite that long-term agreement, the club and player have decided that a temporary move to Diriyah would provide him with a new challenge and regular competition in the Saudi top flight.

The 23-year-old enjoyed a productive first season with Al Ahli. He won the Saudi Super Cup and helped the club claim the AFC Champions League Elite title, contributing to a campaign in which Al Ahli collected several important honours.

According to Millot’s figures on Transfermarkt, he made 40 appearances for Al Ahli in domestic and continental competitions. He scored nine goals and supplied seven assists, an impressive attacking return for a midfielder.

His loan move has been confirmed on the same day that Al Ahli prepare to face Abha in the second round of the Roshn Saudi League. The match is scheduled for Saturday evening.

Al Ahli began their domestic campaign with a 1-0 victory over Diriyah in the opening round. The newly promoted side will now have Millot available as they seek to strengthen their squad and respond to that narrow defeat.

The transfer also gives Diriyah a proven player with experience of competing for major honours in Saudi Arabia, following the collapse of their proposed deal for Malcom. Al Ahli, meanwhile, retain Millot’s long-term contractual rights while allowing him to gain further top-flight experience away from the club for one season.