William Troost-Ekong joins Al Ahli SC from Al Kholood

Former Nigeria captain William Troost-Ekong has completed a permanent move to Qatari side Al Ahli SC from Saudi Pro League club Al Kholood.

The 32-year-old centre-back has signed a contract with the Doha-based outfit that runs until June 2028.

Table of Contents

Troost-Ekong, who famously led the Super Eagles to the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, leaves Saudi Arabia after a productive 18-month spell in which he made 49 appearances and captained Al Kholood.

The experienced defender has been handed his preferred number five shirt and is expected to go straight into the squad for their upcoming Qatar Stars League fixture against Qatar SC.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Al-Ahli Sports Club (@ahliqat)

Fresh chapter in Qatar

The move marks the latest stop in a journeyman career that has seen Troost-Ekong play in the Netherlands, Belgium, Norway, Turkey, Italy, England, and Greece.

Ekong was ‘Sacrificed’ and pushed out of Super Eagles — Idah

Al Ahli, who currently sit ninth in the table, view the signing as a strategic move to shore up a defence that has struggled for clean sheets this season. The club are currently four points clear of the relegation zone and hope the Nigerian’s leadership will help them climb into the top half of the standings.

“He’s here, he’s ready,” the club said in a statement on social media. “Welcome to the club, William. Let’s make history together.”

Focus on club career

Troost-Ekong officially retired from international football in late 2025, bringing an end to a storied career with Nigeria that earned him over 80 caps.

His departure from the international stage was designed to allow him to focus entirely on his club commitments in the Middle East. It is understood that several European clubs had monitored his situation in Saudi Arabia, but the long-term security of a deal in Qatar was the deciding factor.