Gini Wijnaldum Joins Al-Ettifaq: A Liverpool Reunion in Saudi Arabia
Wijnaldum and Henderson will link up as teammates once again.
Gerginio "Gini" Wijnaldum, the renowned Dutch midfielder, has embarked on a fresh chapter in his illustrious footballing journey by signing for Al-Ettifaq. This move has generated a buzz, especially since he's reuniting with a familiar face from his Liverpool days.
Reunion with Jordan Henderson
The signing of Wijnaldum comes just a couple of months after Al-Ettifaq secured the services of Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson. Henderson made the switch to Al-Ettifaq in July, and now, with Wijnaldum joining, fans of the Saudi Pro League team are set to witness the dynamic duo in action once more. Their strong partnership was instrumental in Liverpool's major victories, notably their UEFA Champions League triumph in 2019 and the Premier League title win in 2020.
Wijnaldum's Journey Post-Liverpool
After his success-filled stint at Liverpool, Wijnaldum took on new challenges by signing for Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) two years ago. However, his tenure at the French giants was brief, clocking only 38 appearances. Following his PSG spell, he spent a season on loan at AS Roma. Unfortunately, a broken leg marred his journey in Italy, causing him to miss out on the World Cup in Qatar and half of the Serie A season. Despite the setback, Wijnaldum managed to feature in 23 games for the Italian side.
Steven Gerrard at the Helm
The Liverpool connection at Al-Ettifaq doesn't end with just the players. Another Liverpool legend, Steven Gerrard, is at the managerial helm of the club. With Gerrard's tactical acumen and the combined prowess of Wijnaldum and Henderson, Al-Ettifaq looks set to make significant waves in the upcoming season.
Saudi Pro League's Liverpool Connection
Wijnaldum's move is just one of many recent transfers linking former Liverpool players to the Saudi Pro League. Besides Gerrard and Henderson, Sadio Mané, Robert Firmino, and Fabinho have all made moves to various Saudi clubs in recent weeks. This influx of talent has undoubtedly elevated the profile of the Saudi Pro League, making it a hotspot for footballing action.
Sadio Mané, Jordan Henderson, Roberto Firmino and Gini Wijnaldum celebrating as Liverpool players. Now they all play in Saudi Arabia. // Getty Images
Mo Salah's Record-Breaking Transfer Buzz
Amidst the Liverpool exodus to Saudi Arabia, all eyes are on Mohamed Salah, the Egyptian superstar. After Al-Ittihad's whopping £150 million bid was rebuffed last week, the club is gearing up to make an unprecedented offer of £215 million. If materialized, this would shatter all existing records, making Salah's transfer the most expensive in football history.