Moroccan defender Jamal Harkass has completed a move to the Saudi Pro League, ending weeks of speculation over his next career step.
The 28-year-old centre-back, who previously featured for Raja Casablanca and Wydad Casablanca, has opted for a new challenge in the Middle East after turning down a proposed switch to RS Berkane.
Harkass had been a prime target for Renaissance Sportive de Berkane, who were seeking a replacement for Burkina Faso international Issoufou Dayo following his transfer to Qatar.
However, a decisive intervention from the player’s agent, Mansour Krimaa, secured a more lucrative offer from Saudi Arabia, ultimately convincing Harkass to pursue an overseas opportunity.
Wydad Casablanca are understood to have benefited financially from the move, having set a transfer fee they deemed appropriate for releasing the player.
His departure also brings an end to a period of tension between Harkass and the club’s management, during which several senior figures were seeking moves away.
Africafoot, which first reported the defender’s intention to leave Wydad, has confirmed the transfer is now finalised.
The Saudi club’s identity is expected to be revealed shortly, with an official presentation of the player planned before the week’s end.
A former member of Morocco’s domestic-based national side, the Atlas Lions A’, Harkass is widely regarded for his defensive discipline, leadership qualities, and sharp reading of the game.
This will be his first professional experience outside Morocco — a step viewed as significant in his career development.
The Saudi Pro League, which has been expanding rapidly in recent years, has become an increasingly attractive destination for African and international players alike.
Harkass’s arrival will add to the growing list of overseas recruits bolstering the league’s profile and competitiveness.
For the defender, the move marks more than just a change of scenery.
It is an opportunity to test himself in a league that continues to raise its standards, both on and off the pitch, while offering exposure to a wider footballing audience.
With the official announcement imminent, attention will soon turn to how Harkass adapts to his new surroundings and the demands of Saudi football.
For now, his switch represents a new chapter — one that will see him step away from Moroccan football for the first time in pursuit of success abroad.
