South African coach Pitso Mosimane has made his biggest signing since taking charge of Saudi Arabian side, Al Ahli Saudi.
Pitso Mosimane has signed former Premier League star Modou Barrow to increase Al Ahli’s promotion prospects.
The second-tier league side, Al Ahli, unveiled the former Swansea City winger from The Gambia on Tuesday.
“The management of the club completed the procedures for contracting the Gambian winger “Modo Barrow” from Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors to support the first football team during the current winter transfer period,” Al Ahli say in a statement.
Barrow has joined from the South Korean top league side, Jeonbuk, for an undisclosed fee.
The speedy player is rated highly in the top leagues in Europe. He was previously on the books of Leeds and Nottingham Forest.
The Gambian sports journalist, Alieu Ceesay, has since reacted to Barrow’s decision to join the Saudi Arabian side.
“It’s a good move for Modou Bah, who has been very instrumental for both club and country,” Ceesay tells FARPost.
“I am confident [that] his addition will make an impact on the club.”
MODOU BARROW MIGHT HAVE BEEN INFLUENCED BY CRISTIANO RONALDO
Ceesay said Barrow is good enough, though, to play in the Premier League again.
The Sports Press of The Gambia general secretary said Barrow might have been influenced by Cristiano Ronaldo’s recent move to Saudi Arabia.
The former Manchester United star signed for Al Nassr in the Saudi Arabian Professional League.
“Though for some, he should have been considering a return to the Premier League, but the recent move by Ronaldo will open the floodgates for more players to consider moving to Saudi Arabia,” Ceesay added.
The attacker was among The Gambia’s standout performers at the 2021 AFCON finals in Cameroon.
The Scorpions reached the quarterfinals of AFCON for the first time in the country’s history.
WHAT THE EX-SWANSEA STAR’S ARRIVAL MEANS TO LORCH’S RUMOURS
The 30-year-old Barrow will offer Al Ahli more attacking options, as he can play in either wing and as a number nine.
The arrival of Barrow could dim the chances of South African Thembinkosi Lorch moving to the Saudi Arabian side.
Lorch has not publicly stated that he wants to join Pitso Mosimane in Saudi Arabia. However, South African media outlets have been awash with reports linking the Orlando Pirates star with a switch to Al Ahli.
The persisting reports prompted Pitso Mosimane to come out and give his side of the story. The former Bafana Bafana coach said neither he nor Pirates Chairman, Dr Irvin Khoza, was aware of Al Ahli’s interest in Lorch.
The former Al Ahly coach made it clear that he and Khoza would have been the first to know if Lorch was heading to Saudi Arabia.
Pitso Mosimane is determined to steer Al Ahli back to the top-flight league of Saudi Arabia. Al Ahli are currently fourth on the standings.
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