Lamine Yamal receives strong message from former La Masia gem after Saudi switch | OneFootball

Unai Hernandez has officially joined Al-Ittihad for the next three seasons in a deal that marks a new chapter in his career.

The transfer process was completed quickly, with Unai making the leap from being a standout player for Barcelona’s reserve team to now donning the Al-Ittihad shirt.

At just 20 years old, Unai is heading to the Middle East for this exciting new adventure. His contract with the Saudi Arabian club is set for three years, with an option for an additional two years.

This move is a clear indication of the country’s shift in focus toward nurturing young talent, breaking away from its previous image of offering lucrative contracts to aging footballers nearing the end of their careers.

A straightforward deal

The transfer deal was valued at €4.5 million, with the potential to rise to 5 million euros, provided certain performance-related clauses are met.

Ramon Planes, who was previously Barcelona’s technical secretary and now holds the role of sporting director at Al-Ittihad, played a crucial part in securing the deal. Girona, Unai’s former club, will also benefit financially from this transfer.

Unai has already arrived in Jeddah to join a team under the guidance of Laurent Blanc, which boasts high-profile players like N’Golo Kante, Karim Benzema, and Steven Bergwijn.

Despite the geographical distance, Unai has expressed his support for his former Barcelona teammate, Lamine Yamal. In a heartfelt video message, Unai reassured Lamine that he’s got his back, saying, “Don’t worry, Lamine, I’m with Los Tigres.”

This move highlights the changing landscape of football in the Middle East, where clubs are now looking to invest in promising young players rather than just attracting veterans.

Hernandez is now part of this exciting evolution, ready to make his mark at Al-Ittihad.