Exclusive-Soccer-Saudi League to focus on younger signings, homegrown talent

The Saudi Pro League is encouraging its clubs to foster homegrown talent and switch focus to wooing promising young internationals after making headlines for big name signings for huge money, a document outlining plans for the new season said.

The league signed 97 foreign players last season and boasts 39-year-old global soccer superstar Cristiano Ronaldo and 32-year-old Brazil forward Neymar among other household names.

Global soccer governing body FIFA has said that clubs from the kingdom were among the five biggest spenders in the international transfer market for the first time, splashing out $970 million in 2023 compared to $50.4 million in 2022.

"By focusing on attracting younger international talent, we aim to provide our youth with the opportunity to learn from the best globally," an SPL spokesperson said, when asked about the details in the document.

"This strategic focus on youth players allows us to build long-term success, competitiveness, and sustainability for both the league and the clubs."

It said regulations to incentivise youth development would take effect as soon as the 24/25 season.

According to the plan, teams will be given two additional international player spaces for under-21 players.

The league will also cut match squads to 25 players from 30, a change that "minimises the unwanted effect of having overly deep benches, thus giving more opportunities to new youth players," the spokesperson said.

Other priorities for next season include financial sustainability, player welfare and club development.

"In the build-up to this summer's transfer window, the league has once again worked closely with all 18 clubs to ... assist in securing the best talent possible," the spokesperson said.

The SPL had the largest contingent of players at Euro 2024 from any league outside of Europe, with 14 players who play club football in the kingdom making it to the tournament compared with eight from the United States' Major League Soccer.

SPL clubs also continue to attract top-tier talent to their administrative ranks.

Al Shabab has appointed former Sampadoria technical director Domenico Teti as sporting director, while Al Nassr appointed former Spain manager Fernando Hierro as its sporting director.

Esteve Calzada‮,‬ former chief commercial officer at City Football Group and chief marketing officer at FC Barcelona, has joined Al Hilal as CEO‮.

-(Reuters)‬