Colombian midfielder Richard Ríos, 26 years old, leaves Benfica to transfer to Al Ittihad in Saudi Arabia. The operation was completed through a loan until June 2027, with a loan fee of approximately 3 million euros. Once the loan period ends, Ríos is expected to return to Benfica.
The agreement between the two clubs does not include any purchase option, which means the Colombian player will be obligated to return to Benfica's ranks at the end of the 2026/2027 season, unless a renewal or loan extension clause is activated.
This transfer comes at a time when Ríos was trying to establish himself at the Lisbon club, where he failed to secure a fixed place in the starting eleven. The move to Arabian football represents an opportunity for the player to accumulate minutes and experience in a growing league.
Al Ittihad, a club founded in 1927 and based in Jeddah, is one of the main names in Saudi football, with several domestic titles in its history. Ríos thus joins a growing list of South American players who have been moving to the Saudi league in recent years.
