Al-Ittihad’s response to a turbulent summer is starting to take shape, and at the heart of it stands a new attacking pillar: Ritsu Doan.
The Saudi giants have reached an agreement with Eintracht Frankfurt for the Japan international, according to Saudi daily “Al-Riyadiah”, with only minor contractual details left before the move becomes official. The deal is designed to plug one of the biggest gaps in their squad.
That gap was created by the departure of Moussa Diaby to Bayer Leverkusen. His exit stripped “the Dean” of one of its most prominent attacking weapons and forced the club into the market for a forward who could not only replace his output, but broaden the team’s options in the final third.
Doan fits that brief.
Comfortable across several attacking roles, the Japanese star offers versatility that modern coaches crave. He can play wide, drift inside, combine between the lines, and carry the ball at pace. On top of that, he arrives steeped in European experience, having honed his game on some of the continent’s biggest stages.
For Al-Ittihad, that blend of adaptability and pedigree is exactly what they need as they dismantle the old core and construct a new identity. The club’s management are in the middle of a sweeping recruitment drive, determined to hand the coach a squad capable of executing a fresh tactical vision and moving beyond the names that defined the previous project.
Signing Pressure
The pressure to get this signing over the line is clear.
Al-Riyadiah reports that the agreement between Al-Ittihad and Eintracht Frankfurt is already sealed in principle. Both clubs are simply working through the final formalities before Doan can be unveiled as an Al-Ittihad player. Inside Jeddah, the feeling is that the announcement is now a question of timing, not negotiation.
Doan is expected to step directly into the space vacated by Diaby, carrying the responsibility of injecting new life into an attack that must evolve quickly if Al-Ittihad are to keep pace in the Roshn League. His arrival would not be a cosmetic signing; it would be a cornerstone of the club’s attempt to reshape their style and sharpen their cutting edge.
Supporters' Perspective
For the supporters, the equation is simple.
They lost a star in Diaby. Now they wait to see if Ritsu Doan can become the face of Al-Ittihad’s next chapter.
