Fernando Pacheco Joins Al Fateh in Surprise Saudi Pro League Move

In a surprising transfer development, former Real Madrid youth goalkeeper Fernando Pacheco has agreed to join Saudi Pro League side Al Fateh, according to reports confirmed on Monday, September 8, 2025. The 33-year-old Spaniard, who earned acclaim during a standout 2017-18 season with Alavés, where he received the highest marks from El Correo, struggled to secure regular starts at Almería, paving the way for this career shift.

Al Fateh, a club with a storied history of defying odds—most notably their 2013 league title win as a newly promoted side—has secured Pacheco on a one-year contract with an option for an additional year. This move reflects the club’s ongoing ambition to bolster its squad, despite a transfer record showing a -67.42 million deficit, indicative of significant investment in talent. The deal, which includes a medical evaluation currently underway, aligns with a growing trend of short-term contracts in the Saudi league, a strategy often used to maximize player value amid fluctuating market dynamics.

Pacheco’s experience and technical prowess are expected to strengthen Al Fateh’s goalkeeping unit as they aim to build on their historical success and compete in the competitive Saudi Pro League.