Girona handed option to sign Unai Hernandez after Al-Ittihad squad reshuffle

Al-Ittihad have reached an agreement with Girona for Spanish midfielder Unai Hernandez to join the La Liga club on a season-long loan, with Girona holding an option to make the transfer permanent at the end of the deal.

The move forms part of Al-Ittihad’s plans to reorganise their squad for the new season. The Saudi Pro League club, known as the “yellow and black”, have considered Girona’s proposal as they continue to reshape their playing personnel.

According to Saudi newspaper Al-Riyadiya, Hernandez will spend one season with Girona before the Spanish club decides whether to exercise the purchase option included in the agreement. The arrangement gives Girona the opportunity to secure the player’s registration permanently after the loan period, although the source does not state the value of that potential transfer.

Under the terms discussed between the clubs, Girona will pay only a limited portion of Hernandez’s salary during the forthcoming campaign. Al-Ittihad will remain responsible for the rest of his financial commitments while he is playing in Spain.

Hernandez joined Al-Ittihad in February 2025 after leaving Barcelona. He signed a three-year contract with the Saudi club, but has struggled to establish a regular place in the first-team plans since his arrival.

The 20-year-old made 10 appearances for Al-Ittihad and contributed one goal and three assists during that period. His involvement was then sharply reduced in the previous season, when he played only eight minutes for the club.

Those minutes came in Al-Ittihad’s Saudi Super Cup semi-final against Al-Nassr. The limited appearance further underlined the difficulty Hernandez faced in securing a sustained run in the team.

During the second half of the season, Al-Ittihad sent the Spanish player to Al-Shabab on loan. Hernandez featured 31 times for Al-Shabab during that spell, but did not score. He registered one assist.

The agreement with Girona therefore represents another temporary move for Hernandez and provides him with a return to Spanish football. It also allows Al-Ittihad to adjust their squad while retaining the possibility of a future transfer should Girona decide to buy him once the loan concludes.

Hernandez’s contract with Al-Ittihad initially runs for three years from his February 2025 arrival. The Girona arrangement gives both clubs clarity over his immediate future, with the Spanish side taking responsibility for part of his wages and holding the right to determine whether he remains at the club permanently.