Saudi Pro League and J-League enter a partnership
On Monday, May 20, 2024, a high-profile partnership agreement was signed between the J-League and the Saudi Pro League. Arguably, the two best domestic leagues in Asia are now set to be working in close cooperation and this should be exciting news for both competitions.
Here’s what the Saudi Pro League and J-League partnership consists of.
Saudi Pro League and J-League new partnership details
The recently signed partnership between the two leagues will originally run as a short-term deal. The agreement period is May 20, 2024, to December 31, 2025.
The partnership has three main points and here they are:
- Exchange of personnel between the leagues with the main aim being to increase the standard of football in both countries;
- Sharing of information about training techniques; holding workshops and other business meetings aiming at steady growth for both leagues;
- Organising multiple friendly matches; co-hosting international events, etc.
What this partnership means for the Saudi Pro League
Most likely the main benefit for the Saudi Pro League from this partnership with the J-League will be the fact that most Saudi teams will add at least one high-quality Japanese player to their ranks in the coming months.
The top Saudi teams didn’t make the most of the foreigner’s rule in the Asian Champions League last season and they look determined to change that. According to the Asian Champions League rules any team taking part can use a maximum of 5 foreign players from across the world + 1 more from another Asian country. The Saudi Pro League teams have far more than 5 foreign players from Europe, Africa and South America but not many from other Asian countries.
In all likeliness, almost every team set to play in the Asian Champions League next season will be looking to add a quality Japanese player to their ranks in the coming months.
At the same time, the Saudi Pro League teams could benefit from sending talented Saudi players out on long-term loans to Japan so they can develop and play more. Many such players struggle for minutes right now in the Saudi Pro League if they happen to play in the same positions as the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, etc. Being able to play meaningful minutes in the J-League should benefit their development and Saudi football in general.
What this partnership means for the J-League
The main benefit for the J-League from this partnership with the Saudi Pro League is likely to be financial. The type of superstars that play in Saudi Arabia right now are bound to cause a buzz and a craze when they arrive in Japan for a series of high-profile friendlies.
Also, sending to the Saudi Pro League some bright talent is likely to benefit Japan’s national teams in the long term.
The other great benefit we can think of is the promised close exchange of tactical and training techniques. The Japanese managers are bound to benefit from workshops with some of the top managers in the world who happen to be working in the Saudi Pro League right now.
Finally, the J-League is certain to get some good Saudi players that could help their teams do much better. Japanese football already rips the benefits from such a close partnership with Thailand but the talent in Saudi Arabia is much greater so at least four-five good new additions to the squads in the J-League can be expected very soon.