Al-Ittihad Pursues Ritsu Doan as Diaby Replacement

Al-Ittihad are moving fast. With one of their headline attackers gone, the Jeddah giants have wasted no time lining up a successor.

According to Saudi newspaper Al-Riyadiah, Al-Ittihad have reached an agreement with Eintracht Frankfurt for Japan international Ritsu Doan, with only minor contractual details left before the deal becomes official. The move would bring the 26-year-old a new stage in the Roshn League after his spell in the German Bundesliga.

Doan is being lined up to fill the void left by Moussa Diaby, who has departed to join Bayer Leverkusen. That exit forced “the Dean” back into the market in search of a forward who can not only cover those attacking roles, but also add new dimensions in the final third.

They believe they have found that in Doan. Comfortable across several attacking positions and armed with solid European experience, he fits the profile of a flexible, high-intensity attacker capable of slotting into different systems. For an Al-Ittihad side in the middle of a rebuild, that versatility matters.

Al-Riyadiah reports that the agreement between Al-Ittihad and Eintracht Frankfurt is already in place, with both clubs now simply working through the remaining formalities. Barring late surprises, the announcement of Doan as an Al-Ittihad player is expected to be a question of when, not if.

His signing is part of a broader recruitment drive after a turbulent summer in Jeddah. The hierarchy want to arm their coach with a squad that can execute a refreshed vision and give “the Dean” a sharper, more modern identity this season.

If all goes through as planned, Ritsu Doan will step directly into Diaby’s shoes in the squad, tasked with injecting fresh energy and creativity into Al-Ittihad’s attack. The fans now wait for the club’s confirmation — and for the moment the Japan international walks into a dressing room that is being rebuilt in real time.