Al Duhail SC have announced the signing of Cameroonian international Jean-Charles Castelletto on a one-year deal from French side Nantes. In a statement on its website, the Qatar Stars League club confirmed that Castelletto will join the first team for the new season, describing him as a valuable addition to the squad's defensive line thanks to his experience at both club and international level. The experienced defender attracted interest from United Arab Emirates side Al Jazira and Qatari club Al Wakrah, but Al Duhail signed him for the next three seasons in a deal worth €4mn.
The 30-year-old is Duhail’s fifth summer signing, following the arrivals of Italian midfielder Marco Verratti, Polish defender Krzysztof Piątek, Senegalese full-back Youssouf Sabaly, and Algerian centre-back Adel Boulbina.
Castelletto, a versatile centre-back, began his career in France with Auxerre and went on to play for Mouscron and Club Brugge in Belgium, before returning to France with stints at Red Star, Brest, and most recently Nantes. He represented France at youth level before committing to Cameroon at senior level, where he has since become a key figure in the national team setup.
Al Duhail are currently preparing to face Iran’s Sepahan Isfahan in a crucial AFC Champions League play-off for a place in the group stage. The match is scheduled for August 12 in Doha.
Fatheddine joins Al Ahli on a four-year deal
Al Ahli have signed midfielder Yannis Fatheddine on a four-year contract from Al Waab Club. The club confirmed that the 22-year-old has signed a deal that will keep him at the club until the summer of 2029.
The signing comes as part of Al Ahli’s efforts to strengthen the squad with high-potential talent ahead of the new season. The club described Fatheddine as one of the most gifted midfielders in the Second Division, noting his standout performances with Al Waab last season and his strong technical abilities.
Fatheddine has already joined Al Ahli’s preseason training camp, currently underway in the Dutch city of Eindhoven and continuing until August 4, as the team prepares for the new season. This signing is part of a broader recruitment strategy ahead of a landmark campaign for Al Ahli, who will compete in the AFC Champions League for the first time in their history, following a fourth-place finish in the Qatari Stars League last season. Al Ahli are set to open their league campaign against Al Shamal on August 14.
Al Rayyan to represent Qatar in Gulf Champions League
The Qatar Football Association (QFA) announced Al Rayyan Sports Club has been selected to represent Qatar in the upcoming edition of the Gulf Champions League. Al Rayyan earned its spot in the tournament after finishing fifth in the 2024–2025 Qatar Stars League.
The Qatari side will join seven other clubs approved by the Gulf Cup Federation to take part in the next edition: Al Shabab (Saudi Arabia), Al Ain (UAE), Al Qadisiyah (Kuwait), Al Nahda (Oman), Zakho (Iraq), Al Tadamon Hadramaut (Yemen), and Sitra (Bahrain). The tournament is set to kick off in October, preceded by a group-stage draw that will divide the eight teams into two groups. The top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals. Iraqi club Duhok are the reigning champions, having defeated Kuwait’s Al Qadisiyah in the final of the previous edition.
