Georginio Wijnaldum has completed his move to Al-Ittihad on a one-year deal after leaving Al-Ettifaq on a free transfer. The Dutch midfielder wasted no time expressing his enthusiasm for the Saudi Arabian club, highlighting the passionate atmosphere he discovered in the stadium and among supporters.
In his first interview with the club's official channel, Wijnaldum drew striking parallels between Al-Ittihad's fanbase and the supporters he experienced during his time at Liverpool and Feyenoord. "The moment you arrive at the stadium and see them flocking to it, or present in the stands and chanting for their team, you get an immediate sense that this is a great and storied club that pulses with its fans and its people," he explained. The 34-year-old emphasized that this connection between club and community mirrors what he felt most strongly at his previous European homes, where the institution truly belonged to its supporters rather than existing as a corporate entity.
Reuniting with Bergwijn
Wijnaldum will link up with fellow Dutch international Steven Bergwijn at Al-Ittihad, and the pair share a meaningful history. When Wijnaldum captained PSV Eindhoven during their championship season, Bergwijn joined as a young prospect and provided an assist for his captain's goal in his debut. "We are very close friends, so it is a special feeling to be alongside each other on the pitch again," Wijnaldum reflected on their reunion.
Tactical Flexibility and German Coaching
The midfielder addressed his positioning under Jens Vesing, drawing on experience working with German tacticians, notably Jürgen Klopp at Liverpool. While Wijnaldum has primarily operated as an attacking playmaker in recent seasons—a role in which he thrived under Saad Al-Shehri—he confirmed his willingness to adapt. "I have filled different positions," he noted, recalling his effectiveness as a central holding midfielder on Merseyside. "I am at the coach's disposal wherever the team needs me."
Wijnaldum expressed optimism about Vesing's appointment, citing successful prior collaboration with German coaches and praising Al-Ittihad's attacking style of play. The club's emphasis on positioning players correctly to maximize their capabilities aligns with the mentality that defined his trophy-laden years at Liverpool, where precision and role clarity were central to their Premier League and Champions League success. His arrival adds European pedigree and Champions League experience to Al-Ittihad's midfield as the Saudi Pro League continues its ambitious project.
