Lingard gets Saudi lifeline as ex-Man Utd star seals Al-Ettifaq ‘training deal’

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Jesse Lingard will train with Saudi Pro League club Al-Ettifaq for a month as the former Manchester United forward ponders his next move. Al-Ettifaq, managed by Steven Gerrard, confirmed the decision on Friday, with Lingard still without a club almost two months into the season.

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Lingard left Nottingham Forest as a free agent in July after his one-year contract expired at the City Ground.

The 30-year-old disappointed fans at the City Ground, registering just two goals and two assists in 20 appearances for Steve Cooper’s then-newly-promoted side.

He has bided his time in choosing his next destination but could be the next high-profile name to land in Saudi Arabia.

On Friday, Al Ettifaq announced that Lingard would be training with Gerrard’s squad for one month, with the likely view of a transfer.

A club statement read: “The agreement has been reached for the English player Lingard to join Fares Al-Dahna’s training for a month.

“The management of Al-Ettifaq Club, headed by Mr. Samer Al-Meshal, approved the Football Committee’s recommendation to accept the request of the English player Jesse Lingard to join the training of the first football team at Al-Ittifaq Club for a period of one month.

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“Lingard’s choice of Fares Al-Dahna comes because of his history and heritage, in addition to the stardom of the team’s players and the professionalism of the administrative and technical work within the corridors of the club.”

There were some suggestions that Lingard was on the verge of returning to West Ham United, where he thrived on loan from United in the second half of the 2020/21 season.

Lingard scored nine goals and provided five assists in 16 games for the Hammers, helping David Moyes’ side challenge for a top-four spot.

He was training with Moyes’ first team at Rush Green as late as this month to maintain his fitness, but the Scot has seemingly opted against bringing him back to the London Stadium.

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Gerrard hasn’t recruited the same blockbuster roster as Al Ettifaq’s Saudi rivals, but he has taken established names to the Middle East.

Jack Hendry, Jordan Henderson, Georginio Wijnaldum, Demarai Gray and Moussa Dembele joined the Saudi revolution before the deadline earlier this month.

And Gerrard will hope that Lingard can prove his quality during what will be viewed as a trial period for the former Red Devils star.

Lingard left boyhood club United on the expiry of his contract last summer after registering 35 goals and 21 assists in 232 appearances.

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