Whereas loads of gamers have headed over to Saudi Arabia lately, Qatar too has turn out to be a retirement residence for some former Premier League names.
The Qatar Stars League could not garner as a lot consideration because the Saudi Professional League however the Qataris are additionally pleased to throw the money round to try to entice some expertise over there.
Whereas the likes of Julian Draxler and Marco Verratti play there, right here’s a take a look at 11 former Premier League gamers now plying their commerce within the nation.
GK: Sergio Rico
Staring between the sticks, now we have former Fulham goalkeeper Sergio Rico.
The Spaniard moved to England on mortgage in 2018, however regardless of enjoying 29 instances, Rico couldn’t stop the membership from being relegated.
After that season, he moved on mortgage to PSG earlier than becoming a member of the membership completely because the backup keeper.
In 2024, Rico left France to maneuver to Al-Gharafa.
CB: Mason Holgate
Mason Holgate’s departure from Everton was one which undoubtedly slipped underneath our radar, however the 28-year-old joined Al Gharafa earlier this month.
The Cheetahs, as they’re identified, completed third final season and Rio Ferdinand gave his seal of approval with a “Love this” remark underneath the announcement. We don’t know why both.
CB: Romain Saiss
Romain Saiss spent six years at Wolves from 2016 to 2022 earlier than heading off to Besiktas.
After his time in Turkey, the centre again moved to Al Sadd however was loaned out simply two months later.
The Moroccan joined Saudi membership Al-Shabab for a season and is looking out for his subsequent enterprise after his contract expired in June.
CB: Marc Muniesa
Having grown up in Barcelona’s academy, Marc Muniesa moved to England to hitch Stoke the place he stayed for 5 years.
After his time with the Potters was executed, he headed again to Spain with Girona however in 2019, the defender left Europe to hitch Qatari membership Al-Arabi.
In 2023, Muniesa performed a season at Danish membership Lyngby earlier than returning to Qatar, this time with Al Shahaniya. The Spaniard joined the second division membership in February on a short-term deal.
RM: Pablo Sarabia
Spanish midfielder Pablo Sarabia began his soccer profession in Madrid however after a journey that noticed him play for Getafe, Sevilla, PSG and Sporting, the winger moved to the Premier League and Wolves.
While within the Midlands, Sarabia scored simply eight targets in 77 appearances and left final month to hitch Al-Arbai on a two-year deal.
CM: Ibrahima Diallo
Regardless of being solely 26, defensive midfielder Ibrahima Diallo is already on his sixth membership of his profession.
His time within the Premier League got here from 2020 to 2023 with Southampton, however he left the Saints to maneuver to Qatar in Al-Duhail.
Earlier this yr, he joined Al Khor however has simply moved on mortgage to his third Qatari membership, Al Ahli.
CM: Aron Gunnarsson
A part of the well-known Iceland squad that knocked England out of Euro 2016, Aron Gunnarsson now performs his soccer within the a lot totally different local weather of Qatar.
Having spent eight years at Cardiff, together with two seasons within the Premier League, the midfielder moved to Al-Arabi.
A yr again in Iceland with Þór Akureyri was adopted by a return to Qatar, this time at Al-Gharafa.
LM: Rodrigo
Upon Leeds United’s return to the Premier League, Rodrigo grew to become their big-money signing and he did pretty effectively, if not spectacularly, throughout his time in Yorkshire.
He helped preserve the workforce up for 2 seasons however when Leeds lastly succumbed to the drop in 2023, a relegation launch clause kicked in and Qatari membership Al-Rayyan had been pleased to pay.
A season later, he moved on mortgage to Al-Gharafa however is again with Al-Rayyan for the upcoming marketing campaign.
CAM: Luis Alberto
Luis Alberto made simply 9 league appearances for Liverpool in three years because the Spaniard spent a lot of that point on mortgage elsewhere.
His time at Anfield got here to an finish in 2026 when he joined Lazio and it was there the place he loved way more common enjoying time.
242 league video games with 47 targets for the Italians noticed him picked up by Al-Duhail for a price of €12 million in June 2024.
ST: Roberto Firmino
Whereas not formally full, Roberto Firmino is on the verge of a transfer to Qatar after two years in Saudi Arabia.
Firmino left Liverpool in 2023 after eight vastly profitable years at Anfield and through his time in Saudi, the Brazilian received the AFC Champions League Elite.
He left Al-Ahli in the summertime however is now anticipated to hitch Al Sadd.
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ST: Joselu
Failed Newcaelt striker to Champions League hero is just not essentially the most normal of careers however that’s precisely what occurred to striker Joselu.
After simply six targets in 46 Premier League appearances, Joselu moved again to Spain and located his scoring boots.
In 2023, and with Madrid needing an inexpensive possibility up entrance, he moved to the Bernabeu on mortgage and ended up scoring two late targets in opposition to Bayern Munich to ship the Spanish giants to the ultimate, which they duly received.
In the summertime, Madrid did Joselu a favour by taking on the €1.5m buy possibility, solely to promote him to Qatari membership Al Gharfa for a similar determine a day later. Unique homeowners Espanyol had needed an even bigger price, stopping Josleu from a transfer that may have earned him an enormous pay rise.
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