Published On 4/6/2026
The French club Lens announced today, Thursday, the activation of the final purchase clause in the contract of Saudi international defender Saud Abdul Hamid, so that he will be linked to the team until 2029, after an amazing loan period coming from Italian club Roma, during which he led the team to win the French Cup and qualify for the European Champions League.
The French club said in an official statement on its website: “The story continues! After spending a season on loan to Lens Club with an option to buy from Italian Roma during the 2025-2026 season, Saud Abdul Hamid continues his career in the team’s shirt, as the player signed a contract extending until 2029, after he was one of the most prominent contributors to the team’s victory in the French Cup and ensuring its qualification to the Champions League.”
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The star, Abdul Hamid, joined the ranks of Lens in July 2025, based on extensive local experience in the Saudi Professional League, and a useful first European experience in Calcio with the Roma Club.
The first Saudi player in the French League
As a unique modern full-back characterized by outstanding attacking capabilities and superior speed, the 26-year-old player needed some time to adapt to the atmosphere of French football, before he gradually imposed himself as one of the main pillars of the Lens squad, and entered history as the first Saudi player to play in the French League, and the only European professional on the current Al-Akhdar list.
The club added in its praise of the Saudi star: “Thanks to his complete commitment and high positive spirit, Abdul Hamid became an essential and indispensable element in the second half of the season, as he participated in 14 matches out of 17 possible matches, performing at remarkable levels,” contributing to his team occupying second place in the French League behind Paris Saint-Germain, and winning the French Cup title at the expense of Nice.
The sports administration praised Saud’s numbers
For his part, Lens Sports Director, Jean-Louis Leca, commented on the signing of the new contract, saying: “It was very natural to continue with Saud after the successful season we had together. He has great speed and an amazing ability to send crosses, and he confirmed this by providing 8 assists.”
Leka continued: “Despite being the first Saudi player in the history of the French League, his adaptation was very natural and quick in the locker room. He left a clear mark with his strong performance and positive spirit, and the decision to continue was mutual and deserved by both parties.”
This contractual stability represents a huge morale boost for the player, a few days before he leads his country in the 2026 World Cup finals. Saudi Arabia begins its World Cup campaign in Group H by facing Uruguay on June 16, before playing against Spain and Cape Verde.
