Al-Ittihad (Jeddah)
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| Ittihad | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Full name | Ittihad club - نادي الاتحاد | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nickname(s) | Itti, The Tigers (النمور), The senior (العميد) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Founded | 1928 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ground | Prince Abdullah al-Faisal stadium Jeddah, Hijaz, Saudi Arabia. |
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| Capacity | 27000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chairman |  Mansour Albalawi |
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| Head Coach |  Dimitri Davidovic |
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| League | Saudi Premier League | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2005-06 | Saudi Premier League, 3rd | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Al-Ittihad (Arabic: الاتحاد) or Ittihad Jaddeh is a Saudi Arabian sports club based in the Red Sea port city of Jeddah. Officially formed in 1928, it is the oldest surviving club in Saudi Arabia, and one of the most popular and successful.
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[edit] History
In 1927 a group of young men from Jeddah decided to hold a meeting to discuss the establishment of local Jeddah football (soccer) club. The attendees were Hamza Fitaihi "actual founder", Abdulsamad Najeeb, Ismail Zahran, Ali Yamani, Abdulateef Jameel, Othman Banajah and Ahmad Abu Talib. Ali Sultan.
The name was coined by AbdulAziz Jameel who was quoted as saying: "Since we're gathered here united, let's call it United (Ittihad)". The late Ali Sultan was named as the club's first president, and it is worth to mention that Hasan Fitaihi was the first known fund contributor to the club.
In 1929 Ittihad played their first game, against rivals al-Riyadhi. After winning 3-0, Ittihad was given the seniority of Jeddan clubs. al-Riyadhi disbanded soon afterwards, leaving Ittihad as the only surviving club from the early days.
By the 1930s many clubs were formed, and challenge tournaments were regularly held, often sponsored by local businessmen. In 1937, Ittihad played their first game against eternal rival, al-Ahli (which ended in a draw). Football continued to be played on an unofficial basis until 1957 when the Saudi Football Federation was formed, and football clubs officially recognised. The first official tournament was held in that year, the King's cup, which was the premier competition until the formation of the national league in 1975. Ittihad didn't win the inaugural tournament, but did win it the next year, making it the first official trophy that Ittihad won.
In the mid seventies, the large oil boom allowed the Saudi government to lavish on sport. The General Presidency of youth welfare was formed, and existing football clubs were put under its control and turned into multi-sport clubs. al-Ittihad (as well as all other clubs) was transformed to the modern club that it is today.
[edit] Today
Today, Ittihad is one of Saudi Arabia's largest clubs. It is hugely successful not just in football, but in basketball, water polo, table tennis, volleyball, and swimming, amongst others. In all, Ittihad has won 661 trophies. However, football remains the primary sport.
Ittihad is now based in Sahafa street, Mushrefa district, in east Jeddah, where they have a large sports complex. Senior teams play official games at the municipal sports centre, in the south of the city, while youth teams play at the club.
The club is renowned throughout the region for its fans. They are particularly famous for their loyalty and chants, which are copied by many others. The head of the Ittihad fan club, Saleh al-Qarni, even records studio versions of the year's chants which are widely sold in Jeddah and beyond.
In December 2006, the club has offered what is thought to be the most lucrative deal in Arabian football to Portuguese midfielder Luís Figo. It was said that Luís Figo will join the club on July 1st 2007 after his current contract with Inter Milan expires. However, not long later, Figo's current club, Internazionale released report that Figo had yet to sign a contract with Al-Ittihad and will not be joining. Figo has since extended his contract at Internazionale till the end of the 2007-2008 season.
[edit] Sponsorship
[edit] Official sponsor
In a press conference on January 9, 2006. President of the club Mansour Albalawi announced that SELA SPORT Co (which is the sponsor of Saudi National Team) will pay 200 millions SAR to sponsor AL-ITTIHAD CLUB for 5 seasons.
[edit] Kit providers
[edit] Current first team squad
- As of February 6, 2007
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[edit] Squad Changes
(2007 Transfer window)
[edit] Players In
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MF | Luís Figo (from Inter Milan, Beginning July 1st, 2007) | |
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DF | Mohammed Salim (from Al Jabalain) | |
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MF | Wagner (from Cruzeiro) [1][2] | |
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GK | Mustafa Malayekah (from Al-Ansar) | |
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FW | Reinaldo (from Santos) | |
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MF | Faisal Saif (from Nasr) | |
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FW | Lima (from Botafogo) |
[edit] Players out
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MF | Milenko Ačimovič (to FK Austria Wien) | |
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DF | Saeed Al-Wadaani (on loan to Al-Qadisiya) | |
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FW | Jared Borgetti (to Cruz Azul) | |
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FW | Hamad Aburobe (on loan to Al-Hazm) | |
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GK | Hussein Al-Sadiq (Retired) | |
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MF | Saad Al-Aboud (to Al Faisaly) | |
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DF | Ali Suhail (to Najran SC) |
[edit] Notable former players
- see also Cat:Al-Ittihad (Jeddah) players
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[edit] Presidents
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[edit] Captains
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[edit] Managers
- see also Cat:Al-Ittihad (Jeddah) manager
[edit] Club honours (football)
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- 1982, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003
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- 1958, 1959, 1960, 1963, 1967, 1988
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- 1958, 1959, 1963, 1991, 1997, 2001, 2004
- Saudi Federation cup: 3
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- 1986, 1997, 1999
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- 2004 6-3 vs.
Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma - 2005 5-3 vs.
Al-Ain
- 2004 6-3 vs.
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- 1999 3-2 vs. Chunnam Dragons
- 1999 3-2 vs.
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- 2005 4-1 vs.
CS Sfaxien
- 2005 4-1 vs.
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- King of Saudi Arabia Cup (1) : 2003
- President of Egypt Cup (1) : 2001
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- 1999
[edit] External links
- Official website
- Al Ittihad at the AFC Official website
- Al Ittihad at the AFC Champions League Official website
- League of the Ittihad Club Fans on the Internet
- Alittihad in Languages (English - Francais - German - Italian)
- Al Ittihad at the Arab Champions League Official website : Arabic - English - Francais
| Saudi Arabian Premier League 2006-2007 |  |
| Al Ahli | Al Faisaly | Al Hazm | Al Hilal | Al Tai | Al Qadisiyah | |
| Ettifaq | Ittihad | Khaleej | Nassr | Shabab | Wehda |
