Transfer
Wesley Hoedt heads to Saudi Arabia
29 August 2024
Wesley Hoedt will play in Saudi Arabia for the coming years. The 30-year-old defender has signed a two-year contract with Al-Shabab, based in Riyadh. This deal marks SEG’s first major transfer to Saudi-Arabia since we opened an office there in the spring of this year.
Hoedt comes from Watford, where he played since January 2023. At Watford, he was named Player of the Year in the 2023-2024 season. Prior to his Watford stint, he played in the Premier League, LaLiga and Serie A amongst others. At Al-Shabab, Hoedt joins players such as Yannick Carrasco, Habib Diallo and Giacomo Bonaventura. Last season, the club finished fourth in the Saudi Pro League.
New SEG office in Riyadh
Football in the Middle East, especially in Saudi Arabia, is on the rise, with more and more renowned players making the move from European leagues to clubs in the region. Recognising this trend, SEG has opened a new office in Riyadh this year. Led by Sofyane Benkheil, SEG is looking to broaden its services and tap into new opportunities in this burgeoning market. The recent transfer of Wesley Hoedt stands as the first success in this ambitious venture.
"This country has an insatiable passion for football”
SEG agent Peter de Waal said: “It's fantastic that our move to Riyadh is already paying off. Saudi Arabia is a new frontier for us, and a very promising one. Riyadh is growing rapidly, modernising at an incredible pace, and is already being compared to Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The country has an insatiable passion for football, especially with the 2034 World Cup coming up. Western players are set to give Saudi football a massive boost. For Wesley this is a perfect move. He played in all the major leagues in Europe and was just about ready for a new challenge. Al-Shabab emerged as the best option for him, offering the most attractive total package. We wish Wesley all the best on this new adventure.”
Pictured from left to right: Peter de Waal, Wesley Hoedt, Sofyane Benkheil
New SEG office in Riyadh
Football in the Middle East, especially in Saudi Arabia, is on the rise, with more and more renowned players making the move from European leagues to clubs in the region. Recognising this trend, SEG has opened a new office in Riyadh this year. Led by Sofyane Benkheil, SEG is looking to broaden its services and tap into new opportunities in this burgeoning market. The recent transfer of Wesley Hoedt stands as the first success in this ambitious venture.
"This country has an insatiable passion for football”
SEG agent Peter de Waal said: “It's fantastic that our move to Riyadh is already paying off. Saudi Arabia is a new frontier for us, and a very promising one. Riyadh is growing rapidly, modernising at an incredible pace, and is already being compared to Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The country has an insatiable passion for football, especially with the 2034 World Cup coming up. Western players are set to give Saudi football a massive boost. For Wesley this is a perfect move. He played in all the major leagues in Europe and was just about ready for a new challenge. Al-Shabab emerged as the best option for him, offering the most attractive total package. We wish Wesley all the best on this new adventure.”
Pictured from left to right: Peter de Waal, Wesley Hoedt, Sofyane Benkheil