Saudi Arabia national team defender Motaz Hawsawi received a boost on the eve of the World Cup after it was announced he has signed a contract extension at Al-Ahli.
Hawsawi had one year to run on his existing contract with the Jeddah giants, but the club have moved to tie him down long term and contract him until 2022.
The extension is a reward for a season that saw the 26-year-old make 32 appearances as Al-Ahli finished runners-up to Al-Hilal in the Saudi Pro League and then reach the last 16 of the AFC Champions League where they were knocked out over two legs by Al-Sadd.
Hawsawi is with Juan Antonio Pizzi’s World Cup squad in Zurich and hopes are high that he will make the final 23-man squad submitted on June 4. However, he has only started one game under the Argentine — and that was the 4-0 defeat to Belgium against Romelu Lukaku and Eden Hazard. Hawsawi has won nine caps since his coming on as a half-time substitute against Georgia in 2014.
News of Hawsawi committing his future to the club will be welcome news for new coach Pablo Guede. The Argentine has already seen star striker Omar Al-Somah and key defender Mohamed Al-Fateel pen new deals, creating a sense of stability at the club ahead of the new season.
Official: Motaz Hawsawi extended his contract with Al-Ahli until 2022#AHLIFC pic.twitter.com/MglFrWr1a3
— AlAhli Saudi Club (@ALAHLI_FCEN) May 21, 2018
