Saud Abdulhamid says he gave up more than half of his salary in the Roshn Saudi League to pursue a career in European football, but insists he has no regrets about making the move.
The Saudi Arabia defender joined Roma from Al Hilal during the summer 2024 transfer window but struggled to establish himself in the starting line-up. He moved to Lens in 2025 and says the change has given him greater comfort.
“It is natural for my salary to decrease when I move to Europe because they will not give me the same salary I was receiving in the Roshn Saudi League,” Abdulhamid told Saudi channel Al Arabiya’s programme In the Goal.
“I believe I lost more than 50% of my salary, but I am comfortable with the situation I am in at the moment.”
‘I asked to leave Roma’
Abdulhamid said a lack of opportunities and language difficulties affected his time in Italy.
“When I moved, the circumstances were not suitable,” he said. “I did not succeed in getting an opportunity, and there was also the language problem because I did not speak Italian.
“There were only three players who spoke English, and they were the ones who passed on the manager’s instructions to me.”
He also felt Saudi players were not yet well known at Roma.
“The Saudi player was not well known to them, so there was not much trust in me,” he added. “But things changed significantly after I moved to Lens because half of the squad are Muslims, Arabs or Moroccans. That made me feel much more comfortable.
“I was the one who asked to leave Roma because I was not getting an opportunity.”
Despite his difficulties in Italy, Abdulhamid said returning to the Roshn Saudi League was not something he considered.
“I may have been sad at first because I was not playing for Roma, but I did not regret moving to Europe because it was a dream of mine,” he said. “I do not like regretting what I have done. I know what I am doing, and if I thought that way, I would not do anything.
“All I think about is that I made this decision and must see it through to the end. The decision was right for me despite the difficulties, and I am focused on learning so I can complete what I started.”
Abdulhamid wanted to play in the Champions League, a goal he says was fulfilled after joining Lens. The club competed for the French league title and finished second.
‘My ambition has no ceiling’
The 26-year-old says he has further ambitions before considering a return to Saudi Arabia.
“There are many dreams I have not achieved yet, so I am not thinking about returning to the Roshn Saudi League until I have fulfilled them,” he said. “I am happy that people want me to return, but I am focused on my work at the moment.
“My ambition has no ceiling. You might think I was joking if I told you what it is. I want people to remember my name after my career ends, and I dream of playing in the Premier League.”