Fakayejo Paul
JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA – Al Ahli has officially confirmed a major commitment to their defensive line, announcing that Turkish international centre-back Merih Demiral has signed a new long-term contract extension with the club, keeping him in Jeddah until June 2029.
The confirmation of the deal was prominently tied to the club’s new sporting structure, with director Rui Pedro Braz playing a key role in finalizing the negotiations.
Braz, who was appointed Sporting Director in October 2025 following a successful spell at Benfica, has made retaining key European talent a priority.
was set to enter the final six months of his initial deal next summer, making this extension a vital piece of business to ensure the stability of the squad.
Demiral, 27, arrived at Al Ahli in the 2023/24 season and has established himself as a dominant presence in the Saudi Pro League and continental competitions.
His decision to commit to a four-year extension underscores his importance to the club’s ambitious long-term project and confirms the strategic direction being set by the Portuguese executive team.