Unai Hernandez has formally joined Al-Ittihad for the following three seasons in a deal that marks a brand new chapter in his profession.
The switch course of was accomplished shortly, with Unai making the leap from being a standout participant for Barcelona’s reserve workforce to now donning the Al-Ittihad shirt.
At simply 20 years outdated, Unai is heading to the Center East for this thrilling new journey. His contract with the Saudi Arabian membership is ready for 3 years, with an choice for an extra two years.
This transfer is a transparent indication of the nation’s shift in focus towards nurturing younger expertise, breaking away from its earlier picture of providing profitable contracts to growing old footballers nearing the tip of their careers.
A simple deal
مرحباً صديقي 🐅🤩
Hola, amigo #شتوية_العميد pic.twitter.com/BPIHGpifr7
— نادي الاتحاد السعودي (@ittihad) February 2, 2025
The switch deal was valued at €4.5 million, with the potential to rise to five million euros, supplied sure performance-related clauses are met.
Ramon Planes, who was beforehand Barcelona’s technical secretary and now holds the function of sporting director at Al-Ittihad, performed an important half in securing the deal. Girona, Unai’s former membership, may even profit financially from this switch.
Unai has already arrived in Jeddah to hitch a workforce beneath the steering of Laurent Blanc, which boasts high-profile gamers like N’Golo Kante, Karim Benzema, and Steven Bergwijn.
Regardless of the geographical distance, Unai has expressed his help for his former Barcelona teammate, Lamine Yamal. In a heartfelt video message, Unai reassured Lamine that he’s obtained his again, saying, “Don’t fear, Lamine, I’m with Los Tigres.”
This transfer highlights the altering panorama of soccer within the Center East, the place golf equipment at the moment are trying to spend money on promising younger gamers somewhat than simply attracting veterans.
Hernandez is now a part of this thrilling evolution, able to make his mark at Al-Ittihad.