Al-Ahly Saudi Club announced the transfer of its player Saud Abdul Hamid to Roma, Italy, making him the first Saudi, but not the first Arab.
The Arabs recorded their presence in the ranks of the “Wolves” at the beginning of the millennium through the Egyptian striker Ahmed Hossam (Mido) in 2004, who played 14 matches with them in 8 months before being loaned to Tottenham Hotspur.
Mido did not get his chance to play for the team, and later stated that Roma legend Francesco Totti told him that his chances would be limited, as Vincenzo Montella was in his last season with the club.
- Moroccan Hussein Kharja: 2005 – 2006
A year after Mido’s departure, Roma borrowed Moroccan Hussein Kharja from Ternana in 2005, but his experience lasted only 7 months, during which he played 12 matches and scored a single goal against Juventus.
- Moroccan Mehdi Benatia: 2013 – 2014
Benatia was the third Arab player to join Roma in 2013, coming from Udinese for 13.5 million euros. The Moroccan defender had a great season, playing 37 matches, scoring 5 goals and wearing the captain’s armband on several occasions.
But Benatia’s journey with the “Wolves” lasted only 12 months, then he moved to Bayern Munich for 26 million euros, at the request of coach Pep Guardiola.
- Egyptian Mohamed Salah: 2015-2017
Salah was the second Egyptian and fourth Arab to wear the Roma shirt in 2015. The Egyptian Pharaoh left his mark at the Olimpico, where he played for two seasons and made 83 appearances, scoring 34 goals and making 22 assists before moving to Liverpool in 2017 to complete his epic.
- Moroccan Ismail Hamaydat: 2016 – 2018
He joined Roma in February 2016 from Brescia but did not play a single minute with the first team, and spent his contract period on loan to several clubs in Italy and abroad.
- Algerian Houssem Aouar: 2023 – 2024
He joined Roma last season on a free transfer after his contract with Lyon expired, to strengthen the Giallorossi.
Aouar played 16 matches with Roma, 9 of which were as a starter, and scored only 4 goals before moving to Al-Ittihad of Saudi Arabia this summer for 12 million euros.
🇩🇿✍️ 𝐎𝐅𝐅𝐈𝐂𝐈𝐀𝐋 | Houssem Aouar (24) has signed for AS Roma on a free transfer, contract until 2028.
He told the club: “I think it’s the right project for me, with a big team, quality players and a unique fanbase.” pic.twitter.com/4fGrJNVM2a
— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) June 11, 2023
