Al Hilal have agreed to terminate the contract of French goalkeeper Mathieu Patouillet by mutual consent, clearing space for another foreign player as the Saudi Pro League club reshape their squad.
Saudi journalist Hamad Al-Swelhi reported that Patouillet will leave the club without a transfer fee after reaching an agreement with Al Hilal. The move is part of the club’s strategy at the start of the new season to reduce the number of overseas players and create room for further additions during the current summer transfer window.
Speaking on the Saudi television programme Dourina Ghair on the Saudi channel, Al-Swelhi said Patouillet’s departure would allow Al Hilal to register another foreign-born player in the relevant category.
The journalist added that Al Hilal are considering using the available place to sign a defender, particularly if Turkey defender Yusuf Akcicek also leaves the club.
Patouillet and Akcicek both joined Al Hilal in the foreign-born player category during last summer’s transfer window. However, the Saudi club now appears ready to move on from both players after only one season.
Akcicek featured for Al Hilal on several occasions, starting some matches and appearing as a substitute in others. Patouillet, by contrast, was unable to convince Italian manager Simone Inzaghi of his ability to establish himself in the squad.
Al-Swelhi said there is an intention within Al Hilal to recruit a defender in the same player category, with the club expected to assess its options as the squad continues to change.
The goalkeeper’s exit is the latest move in a wider overhaul of Al Hilal’s foreign-player group. The club are currently working on several overseas signings, with priority being given to the wing and striker positions.
Al Hilal have also confirmed the departures of Uruguay forward Darwin Nunez and Brazil winger Malcom. Their exits would create further change in the attacking areas and form part of the club’s effort to assemble a new-look squad for the coming campaign.
The decision over Patouillet means Al Hilal will have greater flexibility in the transfer market, while a possible departure for Akcicek could open another route to strengthen the defence. The club are therefore expected to continue pursuing new signings after reaching an agreement with the young French goalkeeper.
The immediate focus remains on whether Al Hilal will replace Patouillet with a defender, as well as how the club fill the attacking positions left by Nunez and Malcom. Their recruitment programme is continuing during the summer window, with more foreign-player changes expected before the new season gets under way.
