Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong has been handed an additional role as he has been named club captain at his Saudi Pro League side Al Kholood, www.aclsports.com reports.
Following the takeover of the club by an American firm, Harburg Group, in the summer, Al Kholood became the first Saudi club to be owned by foreigners.
Ekong, player of the tournament at the 2023 AFCON, joined Al Kholood in August 2024 after leaving Greek side PAOK. He helped the newly promoted side finish in ninth place in their debut season in the nation’s top flight.
Ben Harburg, chairman of the Harburg Group, revealed that Troost-Ekong’s strong leadership played a pivotal role in guiding their transition strategy.
“To have someone like William [Troost-Ekong] on my team is a dream come true,” Harburg told SPL. “And more importantly, because he’s a tremendous human being.
“He’s a great leader, he’s very mature, he’s seen everything, he’s played everywhere and, as a club, with the instability and challenge that we’re facing at this handover, is absolutely essential to that.
“So, we certainly spend more talking with him than most and asking him – which he’s doing – to play this role as a ballast, to stabilise us and balance us during a really challenging time. That’s the No.1 thing he provides today, is that maturity and leadership in the locker room. In the future, we’re excited to find ways to activate him and engage with his fans in Nigeria and around the world,” the co-owner of Spanish side Cádiz concluded.
The Super Eagles captain, who once featured for Gent, Bursaspor, Udinese, and Watford, has grown into a prominent African figure within Middle Eastern football.
Al Kholood, who lost 2-0 to Al Nassr last weekend, will play host to Damac on Thursday in their first home match under the new owners.
