MADRID, Jan. 22 (Xinhua) -- The Spanish Football La Liga Santander, the Saudi Arabian General Sports Authority and Saudi Arabian Football Federation have signed an agreement which will see nine Saudi players join Spanish sides on loan deals, as well as allow for the launch of football academies and coaching programs.
The loan deals see three Saudi Arabian internationals, Salem Al Dawsari, Fahad Al Mowallad and Yahia Sahari move to the Liga Santander sides with Levante signing Al Mowallad, Al-Shehri joining Leganes and Al Dawsari moving to Villarreal.
Other Saudi players will sign for sides in Spain's second division and youth sides.
"Football is the most popular sport in Saudi Arabia. Along with the Saudi football federation we are committed to give the youth the chance to achieve their objectives and play football at the highest level possible," said H.E. Turky Al-Alsheikh, chairman of the General Sport Authority of Saudi Arabia.
La Liga says it believes that the arrival of Saudi players to Spain, where no Saudi has ever played in either the top flight or the second tier, will expand the marketing opportunities of the league that is already very popular in the region.
