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Rabat – In a surprising transfer, Moroccan football player Romain Saiss has left Turkey’s Besiktas JK to join Qatar Stars League club Al-Sadd SC for two seasons, starting from the 2023/24 season.
The Qatari club made the announcement on Monday, sharing a video on their social media platform of the Atlas Lions’ captain wearing Al-Sadd’s jersey.
The Turkish club confirmed the transfer in a statement saying, “Beşiktaş JK has informed KAP [Turkey’s Public Disclosure Platform] that an agreement has been reached with Al-Sadd SC regarding the transfer of our professional football player Romain Saiss.”
The transfer agreement includes a “guarantee fee” of €2.5 million (MAD 27 million) and a conditional fee of €300,000 (MAD 3.2 million), added the statement.
The 33-year-old Moroccan defender had a successful stint at Besiktas, where he showcased his defensive skills.
Prior to his time in Turkey, Saiss had an illustrious career playing for prominent clubs such as Le Havre AC, Angers SCO, and Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Read also: Romain Saiss Reminisces About Morocco’s World Cup Success
Several elite European clubs were reportedly interested in signing the Moroccan defender, notably after his outstanding performances during the 2022 Qatar World Cup.
However, he has evidently decided to pursue a new challenge in Qatar.
Saiss greatly contributed to the Atlas Lions’ World Cup success, helping Morocco become the first African and Arab country to reach the tournament’s semi-finals. This has solidified his reputation as a reliable and skilled center-back.
With more than 70 international appearances, Saiss brings a wealth of experience and prowess to Al-Sadd’s defensive lineup.
As Al-Sadd prepares for the upcoming season, the club’s fans expressed their eagerness to see Saiss play wearing the Qatari team’s colors and contribute to the club’s success.
