Mercato: why Dion Lopy chose to join Al-Ittihad, a “historic club”
To everyone’s surprise, Dion Lopy flew to Saudi Arabia, signing with Al-Ittihad until 2030. The 24-year-old midfielder explained the reasons which pushed him to make this choice.
The transfer surprised everyone in the world of Senegalese football. Dion Lopy has just signed with Al-Ittihad, a club playing in the Saudi Pro League, just a few weeks after extending his lease with Almería until 2030. The 24-year-old midfielder, who was of interest to Aston Villa at that time, finally chose Saudi Arabia, where he signed for the same duration as the one he had just signed in Spain. Trained in particular in Reims before launching his professional career, the Senegalese international thus turns the page on his three years spent with Almería.
Facing the cameras of his new club, Lopy returned to the motivations for this choice. He explains that he was excited as soon as he was presented with Al-Ittihad’s sports project, and says he is impatient to contribute to the team’s results. “ I am very happy to come here. When I was told about the club’s project, I was very happy and very eager to get here. I hope to bring a lot to the team and the supporters. It’s a good project for me, because I’m going to play in a league that everyone is talking about at the moment, in a country a little different than in Europe, and I’m going to face the best players in the history of football. I am very happy to be at one of the best clubs in Saudi Arabia. »
An ambitious player, seduced by club and country
Having passed through the Oslo academy before breaking through professionally, Dion Lopy said he was particularly touched by the speech of the leaders of Al-Ittihad and especially by the fervor of his supporters. “ Before signing, I was told a lot about the supporters, about their enthusiasm, he said. This is something that made me want to come here even more. I have been to Saudi Arabia before, although it was a long time ago. It’s a very welcoming country, with very nice people. I already know the country a little, so it’s a pleasure to come back. I hope I can help the team win titles. It’s a historic club, which always wants to win. So I’m here to bring and push everyone to achieve the goals. »
Crowned Saudi Arabian champion for the tenth time in its history in 2024-2025, but only fourth the following season, Al-Ittihad aims to overshadow Al-Hilal, Al-Nassr and Al-Ahli this season. Under the leadership of coach Jens Wissing, the club is banking in particular on the contribution of its new Senegalese midfielder, who also displays great personal and collective ambitions: to help the team return to titles, and to push the entire locker room towards this objective, in a club that he himself describes as historic and always focused on victory.
OBN
