Mehdi Khalil: Lebanon and Sierra Leone goalkeeper joins Sagesse SC

Lebanon and Sierra Leone goalkeeper Mehdi Khalil has joined Sagesse SC from Al-Ahed, completing a move that brings the 34-year-old to his new club on 3 August 2026.

Khalil leaves Al-Ahed after returning to the Lebanese club in July 2024. He had previously spent time with Safa Beirut SC, where he moved from Al-Ahed in February 2024, before switching back later that year.

The 1.96m goalkeeper has built a career across Lebanon, Sweden and Iran, and has also played in Saudi Arabia. His earlier clubs include FC Johansen, MD FF Koping, Djurgarden, Safa Beirut SC and Zob Ahan, while his most recent spell at Al-Ahed preceded the move to Sagesse.

Khalil’s strongest period at Al-Ahed brought three Lebanese championship titles. He won the competition with the club in the 2017-18, 2018-19 and 2022-23 seasons, and was also part of the side that lifted the AFC Cup in 2018-19.

He joins Sagesse as an experienced goalkeeper with a right-foot preference. Born in Bouake on 19 September 1991, Khalil holds Lebanese and Sierra Leonean nationality and has spent much of his senior career in Lebanese football.

The transfer adds another chapter to a career that has included both domestic success and spells abroad. Khalil first moved to Europe in 2011, joining Djurgarden from MD FF Koping, before returning to Lebanon when he signed for Safa Beirut SC in January 2013.

He later moved from Safa to Al-Ahed in August 2017, beginning the spell in which he collected his first major honours. His time with Al-Ahed also included a loan transfer to Zob Ahan in January 2019, followed by a return to the Lebanese club in August 2020. In June 2023, he joined Al-Faisaly on loan and returned to Al-Ahed in January 2024.

Khalil’s latest move takes him from Al-Ahed to Sagesse SC, with the goalkeeper now beginning his next club chapter in Lebanon.