More expensive than Schlotterbeck
© Imago
The Saudi Pro League has repeatedly strengthened with aging stars in recent years, but if young talents take the step into the desert, this often goes hand in hand with criticism. Shortly before the end of the transfer window, ex-VfB talent Jan-Carlo Simić joined the Saudi Doubles winner al-afterihad. “In Europe, we do not understand how much football has developed in Saudi Arabia. He is superior to many European leagues, in any case the Belgian,” said 20-year-old central defender in an interview with the “kicker”.
Simić moved to AC Milan for 1 million euros in 2022, where he collected six missions from the professionals. Two years later, the change followed for 2.75 million euros to the RSC Anderlecht, where he made the breakthrough. He became a regular in Belgium, completed 53 games in which he scored four goals, and increased his market value from 5 million to 8 million euros. Then followed the farewell to the five -time Serbian international.
“The change is a huge step forward. Al Ittihad is the best team in the country, perhaps even the continent – and we could easily play in each of the five largest European leagues,” said Simić. Al-Ortihad initially transferred a rental fee of EUR 6 million gene Unterlecht, next summer 15 million euros will follow for the commitment. In total, he is more expensive than Nico Schlotterbeck 2022 from SC Freiburg to Borussia Dortmund when he changed for 20 million euros.
For him, Al-Ortihad is not a transition station to a top European league, as Simić explained. “I’m honest: I am here to stay. I said to myself that I could make a career here. I am not fixed to return to Europe if the quality of football improves further here.” With a market value of 8 million euros, he is the most valuable defender in the team of coach Laurent Blanc and is likely to be set at the side of the experienced Danilo Pereira.
The Al-Ortihad team is peppered with international stars such as Karim Benzema, Steven Bergwijn, Moussa Diaby, N’Golo Kanté or Fabinho. “I am surrounded by players who won the World Cup, the Champions League and even the Ballon D’Or. (…) I am here with 15 national players. So I think that this can only have a positive impact on me,” said Simić, the part of the most third -value squad of Saudi Pro League. “It’s just crazy, I don’t find words to describe how happy I am. My teammates are people who have literally changed football. Everyone here inspires me.” He has not yet played a game in the Saudi Pro League, only in the 1-2 in the Champions League against Al-Wahda.