Former Nigeria captain Troost-Ekong to join Qatari club

Former Nigeria national team central defender William Troost-Ekong has agreed to a move that will see him switch Gulf nations after agreeing to a transfer to Qatar Stars League club Al Ahli SC from Saudi top flight Al Kholood, according to journalist Fabrizio Romano.

🚨🇸🇦 EXCL: Nigerian defender William Troost-Ekong is signing in Qatar for Al Ahli SC from Saudi club Al Kholood.

Contract until June 2028. 🇳🇬 pic.twitter.com/CFL9TkntFf

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 19, 2026

The 32-year-old defender has signed a contract with his new club until June 2028 according to Romano. The transfer comes after a season and a half spent at Al Kholood, with whom Troost-Ekong made 49 appearances.

He will join former German international Julian Draxler in Doha, where Al Ahli currently sit in 9th place on the 12-team Qatar Stars League table. With one of the worst defenses in the league, the club will hope that Troost-Ekong can revitalize a struggling unit.

The former Super Eagle, who announced his retirement from international duty shortly before the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after Nigeria failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, did not end his tenure with Al Kholood on a good note. He received a red card in the 8th minute as his team fell to an 0-4 Saudi Pro League defeat to Al Ittihad on January 9.

But a new change of scenery could be perfect for the veteran, who has spent time with over ten clubs in his career including England’s Watford FC, Italian Serie A side Udinese and Greek club PAOK.

Troost-Ekong made 82 appearances and scored 8 goals for the Nigeria national team after previously representing the Netherlands at youth level. He also was an important member of the Nigeria team that won a bronze medal at the 2016 Olympic Games where he made 6 appearances during the tournament.