Richard Rios set for Al-Ittihad fitness tests before Al-Nassr derby

Al-Ittihad are preparing new signing Richard Rios for a possible appearance against Al-Nassr, despite the Colombia midfielder not yet having arrived in Saudi Arabia.

The Jeddah club announced early on Thursday that they had signed Rios from Benfica on loan until the end of the current season. Reports indicate that the agreement does not include an option for Al-Ittihad to make the transfer permanent.

According to Saudi newspaper Al Riyadiyah, Al-Ittihad intend to assess whether the 26-year-old can feature in Saturday’s highly anticipated Saudi Pro League meeting with Al-Nassr, even though his arrival was confirmed only 72 hours before the match.

Al-Ittihad will host their traditional rivals at Alinma Stadium in Jeddah in the fifth round of the Roshn Saudi League. The fixture is the first major test of Rios’ immediate availability following his move from Benfica.

Rios is expected to land at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah on Thursday evening before joining up with his new team-mates. He will then travel to Al-Ittihad’s training base, where he is scheduled to undergo on-field assessments on Thursday and Friday.

Those tests will be used to determine whether he is physically ready to be involved against Al-Nassr. With only a short period between completing the move and Saturday’s fixture, the club face a limited window in which to evaluate the midfielder and integrate him into the squad.

The Colombian becomes the fourth midfielder recruited by Al-Ittihad during the current summer transfer window. He follows Saudi Arabia internationals Rakan Kaabi, who joined from Al-Fayha, and Mokhtar Ali, signed from Al-Ettifaq, as well as Senegalese midfielder Dion Lopy, who arrived from Spanish club Almeria.

Rios spent only one season with Benfica after joining the Portuguese side from Palmeiras last summer. During that campaign, he made 51 appearances in all competitions, scoring eight goals and providing six assists.

His performances in Portugal earned him a move to Al-Ittihad, but the club will first have to decide whether he can contribute immediately in one of the most significant matches of the Saudi season.

Saturday’s game will take place in Jeddah, with Al-Ittihad hoping to have their latest signing available for at least part of the clash if he passes the club’s medical and physical evaluations.