Brazilian winger Malcom has given his approval to a move from Al Hilal to newly promoted Al-Diriyah during the current summer transfer window, according to Saudi newspaper Okaz.
Al-Diriyah had been pursuing a deal to sign Malcom on loan until the end of next season. Al Hilal were understood to be open to the proposal as they considered allowing the winger to leave, although the player had not initially given his final consent to the transfer.
That position has now changed, with Okaz reporting that Malcom has agreed to join Al-Diriyah for the forthcoming Roshn Saudi League campaign. The move would take him to the club after its promotion to the top flight.
Al Hilal are currently working to settle their financial arrangements with the Brazil international before completing the transfer officially. The club is expected to resolve those matters in the coming hours, after which the deal can be formally concluded.
Malcom has been one of Al Hilal’s leading players over the past three seasons, having joined the club from Russian side Zenit in 2023. His first campaign in Saudi Arabia was particularly successful, as Al Hilal won the league title without losing a match.
His departure would therefore bring an end, or at least a temporary interruption, to a significant spell with the Riyadh club. During his three years at Al Hilal, Malcom helped the side win the Saudi league title once, as well as two King’s Cup trophies and two Saudi Super Cup titles.
The proposed transfer follows Al Hilal’s reported willingness to part with the winger and Al-Diriyah’s interest in adding an established player to their squad after promotion. Although the financial details have yet to be completed, Malcom’s decision removes the main uncertainty surrounding the deal.
The Brazilian’s arrival at Al Hilal in 2023 came after his spell with Zenit, where he had established himself as a prominent attacking player. Since moving to Saudi Arabia, he has been part of a side that collected several domestic honours, including the unbeaten league campaign in his first season.
Al-Diriyah will now await the final agreement between the player and Al Hilal before the transfer is announced officially. For Malcom, the proposed move represents a step away from one of Saudi Arabia’s most successful clubs in recent seasons and a fresh opportunity with a team preparing for its first campaign after earning promotion to the Roshn Saudi League.
