Soccer-Mahrez joins Qatar's Al Shamal as a free agent

By Reuters News

By Basem SaeedZahran

Oct 14 (Reuters) - Algerian winger Riyad Mahrez has joined Al Shamal on a free transfer after leaving Saudi Pro League side Al Ahli, the Qatar Stars League club announced on Wednesday.

The 35-year-old, who announced his international retirement following this year's World Cup, departed Jeddah-based club Al Ahli after a decorated three-year stint.

"His left foot made history and our ambition is writing the next chapter. Riyad Mahrez in Al Shamal colours," the Qatari club posted on X.

Mahrez made his professional breakthrough at French side Le Havre before he joined Leicester City in 2014, where he became a central figure in the English club's fairytale Premier League triumph in 2016.

The 2016 African Footballer of the Year later featured for Manchester City, winning four Premier League titles and the Champions League before moving to Al Ahli.

Mahrez helped Al Ahli clinch back-to-back AFC Champions League Elite titles in 2025 and 2026.

The winger, who was born in France, played a key role in Algeria's successful campaign to win the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations and helped the team reach the last 32 at this year's World Cup.

He scored 40 times in 119 international appearances.

Al Shamal are fifth in the Stars League standings with eight points from five games.

Capital.com is an execution-only brokerage platform and the content provided on the Capital.com website is intended for informational purposes only and should not be regarded as an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy the products or securities to which it applies. No representation or warranty is given as to the accuracy or completeness of the information provided.

The information provided does not constitute investment advice nor take into account the individual financial circumstances or objectives of any investor. Any information that may be provided relating to past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results or performance.

To the extent permitted by law, in no event shall Capital.com (or any affiliate or employee) have any liability for any loss arising from the use of the information provided. Any person acting on the information does so entirely at their own risk.

Any information which could be construed as “investment research” has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and as such is considered to be a marketing communication.