File photo of Hassan Al Haydos
Doha, Qatar: Hassan Al Haydos will stay with his childhood club Al Sadd, who yesterday announced the renewal of contract with the seasoned Qatari forward. The reigning Qatar Stars League (QSL) champions did not specify the length of his contract extension.
“The club was keen to keep him, in recognition of his great value as a key player for the club,” Al Sadd said in a statement on their website.
Former Qatar captain Al Haydos, who retired from international football in March 2024 after leading the national side to a second successive Asian Cup title, has been part of Al Sadd since he joined them in 1998 at the age of eight.
He joined the senior side in 2007 and has since played for them, celebrating multiple accolades with Qatar’s most decorated club.
The 34-year-old forward, who captains the side, thanked the Al Sadd management for extending his contract.
“I am very happy at Al Sadd Club, which is my home,” Al Haydos said on the club’s website.
“We have a challenging season ahead which includes domestic and Asian competitions. Our ambitions are great and our goal is to compete for all titles.”
Regarding his role as a captain, he said: “Leadership is a responsibility, and the Al Sadd players are like my brothers. We have been playing with each other for a long time. Our goal as a family is one, which is to always keep Al Sadd at the top.”
Meanwhile, Al Sadd also renewed the contract of Qatari defender Ahmed Suhail for five seasons until 2030 earlier this week.
Al Sadd, under coach Felix Sanchez, were phenomenal in the previous season, clinching the QSL and Qatar Cup titles. They will start their preparations for the new season with a home training camp on July 5 before departing to Spain for their overseas camp set to start on July 16.
Al Sadd are scheduled to play four friendly matches in Spain before returning home on August 4.
They will begin their QSL title defence with a match against Qatar SC at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium on August 16, two days after the Qatari top flight kicks off.
