Riyad Mahrez makes move to Qatar after Al Ahli departure

After three seasons in Saudi Arabia with Riyad Mahrez Al-Ahli Jeddah, the Algeria captain has taken on a new challenge in Qatar, joining Al Shamal on a free transfer. “The world knows his name. Now he wears ours,” the Qatari club announced on social media. Mahrez began his professional career at Le Havre before moving to Leicester City in 2014. He quickly became one of the stars of their remarkable Premier League title triumph in 2016, earning him a move to Manchester City . At City, the winger added four more Premier League titles and the Champions League to his collection before leaving for Al Ahli in 2023. His spell in Saudi Arabia proved equally successful, with Mahrez helping Al Ahli win back-to-back AFC Champions League Elite titles in 2025 and 2026. Now, the 17-time trophy winner joins an Al Shamal side sitting fifth in the Qatar Stars League, with the club hoping his experience can help them challenge on both the domestic and continental fronts.