Souffian El Karouani set for Saudi switch after leaving FC Utrecht

Moroccan left-back Souffian El Karouani is set to leave European football after deciding to join Saudi Arabian club Al Qadsiah following the expiry of his contract with FC Utrecht.

The 25-year-old defender, who has been a regular for the Dutch side, has opted against continuing his career in Europe despite attracting interest from several clubs.

His decision brings an end to his spell in European football at a time when he was enjoying a strong season in the Eredivisie.

El Karouani had been closely followed by Turkish side Besiktas, who were reportedly keen to secure his signature.

The Istanbul club made a significant financial offer in an attempt to convince him to move to Turkey. However, those efforts were ultimately unsuccessful.

Instead, the Moroccan international has chosen to accept a move to Saudi Arabia, where he will join Al Qadsiah. The financial strength of the Saudi project is understood to have played a decisive role in his decision, as the league continues to attract players from across Europe.

El Karouani leaves FC Utrecht after a solid campaign in which he established himself as an important figure in the squad.

His performances over the season helped raise his profile, making him an attractive option for clubs looking to strengthen at left-back.

The move also reflects the growing trend of players in their mid-20s opting for transfers to the Saudi Pro League, where clubs continue to invest heavily in recruitment from European leagues.

For Besiktas, the deal represents a setback after what was described as concrete efforts to bring the player to Turkey.

Despite their interest and financial proposal, they were unable to compete with the appeal of the Saudi offer.

El Karouani is now expected to begin a new chapter in his career in the Middle East, where he will join an ambitious project aimed at strengthening the league’s competitive profile with established international players.