Ittihad send Cameroon defender Stefan Keler on loan to Beveren

Ittihad Jeddah have announced that Cameroon defender Stefan Keler will spend the rest of the season on loan with Belgian club Beveren.

The Saudi club confirmed the move in a statement and accompanying social media post, saying its sporting administration had approved the temporary transfer. Keler will remain at Beveren until the end of the current campaign.

Ittihad signed Keler during the previous winter transfer window on a contract running until the summer of 2029. However, the defender’s place in the club’s final domestic squad had remained uncertain because of limits on the number of foreign players who can be registered.

Keler made one appearance for Ittihad last season, featuring in the AFC Champions League Elite. A previous report had indicated that he could play for the club during the opening rounds of the Saudi league while Ittihad finalised their domestic squad of 25 players.

The club’s sporting department was expected to make a decision on Keler’s future once that list had been formally approved. The options were to retain him solely in the squad for Asian competition or register him for domestic matches as well.

That decision was influenced by the limit of eight over-age foreign players permitted in the squad, as well as assessments of the team’s readiness and the progress of new transfer business during the summer window.

Ittihad strengthened their squad this summer by completing permanent deals for Jan-Carlo Simic from Anderlecht, while also signing Dion Lopy from Almeria and Richard Rios from Benfica.

The club also saw Moussa Diaby, Mario Mitaj, Fabinho and Ricardo Carvalho leave during the same period.

Ittihad are sixth in the Saudi league with eight points after four matches. They are preparing for a demanding meeting with Al-Nassr in the headline fixture of the competition’s fifth round.

Keler’s loan move to Beveren gives him the opportunity to continue his development and secure regular competitive football while Ittihad manage the restrictions surrounding their squad registration. The Belgian side will have him available for the remainder of the season, while Ittihad retain his long-term registration rights under the contract signed earlier this year.