Top 10 players who left Saudi Pro League to return to Europe featuring Aymeric Laporte
Several high-profile players departed the Saudi Pro League to rejoin European clubs, including Aymeric Laporte, Jordan Henderson and Seko Fofana, according to a Khel Now list published on 25 August 2026. The compilation profiles ten exits and outlines the circumstances that led each player back to Europe.
The article notes the Saudi Pro League’s rapid expansion and continued attraction of major names, citing Manchester City’s Tijjani Reijnders as one of the latest signings in the ongoing summer window. It says many players moved to the kingdom for financial reasons, while others chose to return to Europe to play in more competitive leagues, return to familiar surroundings, or because they failed to acclimatise to life in Saudi Arabia.
Jordan Henderson’s switch from Liverpool to Al‑Ettifaq is described as one of the most controversial transfers in recent memory, with the article emphasising his outspoken support for LGBT issues and the backlash his move generated; it states Henderson lasted six months at Al‑Ettifaq before terminating his contract and signing for AFC Ajax, and that he currently plays for Chelsea in the Premier League. Seko Fofana is recorded as having moved to Al‑Nassr in 2023 for €25 million, failing to secure a starting place and being sent on loan to Al‑Ettifaq after six months; after one and a half years with Steven Gerrard’s side he was deemed surplus to requirements and returned to Ligue 1 side Rennes.
Aymeric Laporte’s transfer to Al‑Nassr is listed as a £23.6 million move, with the French‑born defender—who had been an established starter for the Spanish national team—making 69 appearances over two seasons before later revealing he became disillusioned with life in Saudi Arabia and eventually returning to his boyhood club, Athletic Club. Anderson Talisca’s trajectory is outlined from Benfica and a successful Besiktas loan in 2018 to a stint at Guangzhou Evergrande and then Al‑Nassr in 2021; the article says he quickly became a fan favourite but was pushed out after the signing of Cristiano Ronaldo.
Jota is described as a former Benfica youth player who rose at Celtic and helped the club to a domestic treble in 2022-23, yet instead moved to Al‑Ittihad for £25 million; the report says he was left out of Al‑Ittihad’s squad registration by head coach Nuno Espirito Santo, made 17 appearances in one season, returned to Rennes and is now rebuilding his career at Celtic. Gabri Veiga’s €40 million transfer from Celta Vigo to Al‑Ahli is recorded as having drawn criticism—Toni Kroos called it "embarrassing"—and the piece states Veiga helped Al‑Ahli win the AFC Champions League Elite in 2025 before departing for FC Porto soon after for €15 million.
Diego Duran is reported to have left Aston Villa for Al‑Nassr in 2025 for an initial fee of £64 million after seeking regular first‑team football; the article records he scored eight goals in 13 matches, was loaned to Fenerbahçe after six months amid reported desires to return to Europe, and is currently on loan at Benfica. N'Golo Kanté’s move from Chelsea to Al‑Ittihad is summarised with the article stating he made 79 appearances in Saudi Arabia, helped that side win the domestic double in 2024-25, sought a place in France’s 2026 World Cup squad, and signed for Turkey’s Fenerbahçe in February 2026.
LaLiga veteran Juanmi’s spell is outlined as six seasons at Real Betis followed by a season‑long loan to Al‑Riyadh after losing his starting spot; the article records an eight‑month goal drought in Saudi Arabia, a return of one goal in 16 matches, a temporary deal with Cadiz and that he currently plays for Getafe. Equi Fernández is described as an exciting midfield prospect from Boca Juniors who moved to Al‑Qadsiah in 2024, made 32 appearances for the Saudi side, and then moved to Bayer Leverkusen in 2024 to join the Bundesliga.
The Khel Now piece concludes by listing these ten departures and noting continued inbound transfer activity in the Saudi Pro League, and it invites readers to follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram or to download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join the community on Telegram.