Saud Abdulhamid targeting Premier League after fulfilling Champions League ambition

Saudi Arabia and Lens defender Saud Abdulhamid says he sacrificed more than half of his Saudi Pro League salary to pursue a career in Europe, and has no plans to return to the league despite the difficulties he initially faced.

Abdulhamid left Al-Hilal for Roma during the summer 2024 transfer window, but struggled to establish himself as a regular starter in Italy. He moved to French club Lens in 2025, where he says he has found greater comfort and opportunity.

“It is natural for my salary to decrease when I move to Europe because they will not give me the same salary I was receiving in the Saudi Pro League,” Abdulhamid told Saudi broadcaster Al Arabiya’s programme Fi Al-Merma.

“I think I lost more than 50% of my salary, but I am comfortable with the situation I am in at the moment.”

‘The circumstances were not suitable’ at Roma

Abdulhamid said a lack of opportunities and language difficulties contributed to his problems at Roma.

“When I moved, the circumstances were not suitable,” he said. “I did not succeed in getting an opportunity, and there was also the language problem because I did not know Italian.

“There were only three players who spoke English, and they were the ones who relayed the manager’s instructions to me.”

The 25-year-old also believes Saudi players were not yet well known in Italy, which affected the level of trust placed in him.

“The Saudi player was not known to them, so there was not much confidence in me,” he said. “But there was a big change after moving to Lens because half of the players are Muslim, Arab or Moroccan. That made me feel more comfortable.

“I was the one who asked to leave Roma because I was not getting an opportunity.”

No regrets over European move

Abdulhamid insists he never seriously considered returning to the Saudi Pro League, even when his first months in Europe proved difficult.

“Perhaps I was sad at first because I was not playing for Roma, but I do not regret moving to Europe because it was my dream,” he said. “I do not like regretting what I have done because I know what I am doing. If I thought that way, I would never do anything.

“All I think about is that I made this decision and must complete it to the end. The decision was comfortable for me despite the difficulties, and I am simply working on learning so I can finish what I started.”

He added that his ambition to play in the UEFA Champions League was a major reason for staying in Europe. That target was achieved at Lens, where the club also competed for the French league title and finished second.

“I did not think about returning to the Saudi league despite all the difficulties because I wanted to play in the Champions League,” he said.

Abdulhamid now has further targets, including a move to the Premier League.

“My ambition has no limit,” he said. “I want people to remember my name after my career ends, and I dream of playing in the Premier League.”