Flatah earns new Al-Ittihad deal as Saudi giants reshape squad

Al-Ittihad have renewed the contract of teenage prospect Mohammed Flatah for a further three years, keeping the Saudi midfielder at the club until 2029.

The agreement was announced by Al-Ittihad on Thursday as the club continue to strengthen their squad and secure the future of one of their most highly regarded young players.

Flatah is considered one of the club’s leading emerging talents and is expected to have a bright future. He was promoted to the first team in 2024, when he was only 17, under French manager Laurent Blanc.

Blanc was impressed by Flatah’s ability and decided to bring him into the senior set-up. However, the youngster has not been given many opportunities to feature in competitive matches over the past two years.

The arrival of new German head coach Jens Wissing could offer Flatah a fresh chance to establish himself. Al-Ittihad have a clear shortage of numbers in midfield, which may increase the teenager’s prospects of playing a more prominent role during the new campaign.

The new contract is the latest move by Al-Ittihad during an active summer transfer window. The club have also completed the signing of left-back Fares Abdi from Neom and Senegal midfielder Dion Lopy from Almeria.

Al-Ittihad also activated the purchase option in the contract of Cameroon defender Stefan Keller, making his move permanent.

The club are now preparing for the opening of the new season, with their first competitive fixture scheduled for 11 August. Al-Ittihad will face Al Jazira in the preliminary round of the AFC Champions League Elite.

They will then begin their Saudi Pro League campaign on Saturday, 15 August, when they host Al-Kholood at Alinma Stadium in the opening round.

The contract extension reflects Al-Ittihad’s desire to retain their most promising young players while continuing to build a squad capable of competing across domestic and continental competitions. Flatah’s development began under Blanc, but his next step will come under Wissing, who may have to rely on the academy graduate because of the club’s midfield shortage.

Supporters are also being offered tickets for Saudi Pro League matches as anticipation builds ahead of the new season.