Former Rangers midfielder Glen Kamara has officially joined Al-Shabab on loan after a difficult spell at Rennes in Ligue 1.
Kamara, who moved to the French club for £8 million last summer, struggled for regular playing time under Jorge Sampaoli, leading to his exclusion from first-team training sessions.
The Finnish international has now opted for a fresh start in the Saudi Pro League, where he will play under sporting director Pavel Nedved, a former Ballon d’Or winner.
Expressing his excitement about the move, Kamara stated, “Al-Shabab is an ambitious club, and I’m looking forward to making a real impact here.”
Kamara’s move to Saudi Arabia comes at a time when the league is attracting top European talent, with players like Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, and Neymar already plying their trade there.
At Al-Shabab, he is expected to add depth and experience to the midfield as the club pushes for a strong league finish.
A club representative welcomed the signing, saying, “Glen brings international experience and quality to our squad, and we believe he will be a key player for us.”
Kamara will soon face some of the biggest names in world football as he looks to rebuild his career in a new league.
The January 2025 transfer window saw a record-breaking $2.35 billion spent on international men's soccer transfers, a 58% increase from the previous year and 47.1% higher than the previous record set in 2023.
English clubs dominated the market, with Manchester City leading the way, spending over $224 million on five players as they looked to reinforce their squad for the title race.
The most expensive signing of the window was Colombian forward Jhon Duran, who completed a $79.97 million move from Aston Villa to Al-Nassr, marking another significant signing for the Saudi Pro League.
Reflecting on the increased spending, FIFA's Head of Global Transfers, Emilio García Silvero, stated, “The numbers reflect the growing financial power of top clubs, particularly in Europe and the Middle East, as they continue to invest heavily in elite talent.”
The record-breaking window was not limited to men's football, as women’s soccer also saw a historic high of $5.8 million in transfer spending, with English clubs again leading the charge.
This increase in investment signifies the rapid growth of the women’s game, as more clubs look to build competitive squads ahead of major tournaments.
Despite the surge in spending, financial experts have raised concerns about sustainability, especially regarding the high wages and transfer fees being paid.
Football finance analyst Kieran Maguire commented, “While transfer spending continues to rise, clubs must be mindful of long-term financial stability to avoid overspending beyond their means.”
With clubs in both men's and women's football showing no signs of slowing down, the next transfer windows are expected to continue setting new financial benchmarks.
.png)