Richard Ríos joins Al Ittihad on loan after initial reluctance | OneFootball

Richard Ríos has left Benfica to join Al Ittihad on loan, with paperwork completed in the early hours of Wednesday and the move confirmed late that night.

Record reports that the agreement was finalised after some hesitation from the Colombian international, who eventually approved the switch and accepted the Saudi club’s project.

The midfielder is loaned until the end of the 2026/27 season, with no option to buy, in a deal worth around four million euros to Benfica. Al Ittihad will pay his wages, easing Benfica’s costs during the spell.

Ríos did not train yesterday and is expected in Saudi Arabia on Thursday to join his new team.

His partner, Brazilian content creator Madu Carvalho, has updated her social media bio, adding a Saudi Arabian flag and removing Portugal.

Ríos departs temporarily after a first season in which he established himself as an important option for Benfica. He made 45 appearances, scoring eight goals and supplying six assists, following a 27 million euros move from Palmeiras.

Source: Glorioso 1904

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”