Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong has been entrusted with significant new responsibilities at Saudi Pro League side Al Kholood, a development that follows a landmark American acquisition by the Harburg Group. The Nigeria international, who joined Al Kholood in August 2024 after his tenure with Greek side PAOK, quickly established himself as a pivotal figure. His contributions were instrumental in guiding the newly promoted club to a respectable ninth-place finish in their inaugural Roshn Saudi League campaign, successfully averting relegation.

This season, the 32-year-old central defender was not only named club captain, but his influence is set to extend well beyond the playing field. Al Kholood made history by becoming the first foreign-owned club in Saudi Arabia’s top flight, with the U.S.-based Harburg Group assuming control this past summer. This ownership change has placed Troost-Ekong in a crucial leadership position during the club’s transition phase.

Ben Harburg, the chairman of the Harburg Group, explicitly highlighted Troost-Ekong’s exceptional leadership qualities as central to their strategic transition plan. Harburg expressed his admiration, stating, “To have someone like William [Troost-Ekong] on my team is a dream come true,” emphasizing that his value extends beyond his footballing prowess because “he's a tremendous human being.” Harburg further elaborated on the defender’s vital role, describing him as a “great leader,” “very mature,” and someone who has “seen everything, he's played everywhere.”

During this period of instability and challenge associated with the club’s handover, Troost-Ekong’s presence is considered absolutely essential. Harburg revealed that they engage in more frequent discussions with him than with most, explicitly asking him to act as a “ballast” to stabilize and balance the club during this challenging time. This maturity and leadership in the locker room are considered his primary contributions currently. Looking ahead, the Harburg Group is keen to explore avenues to further activate Troost-Ekong and engage with his extensive fanbase in Nigeria and globally.

Born in the Netherlands to a Dutch mother and Nigerian father, William Troost-Ekong has been a stalwart for Nigeria since 2015, accumulating more than 80 international caps. He notably enjoyed a standout performance at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, where he was rightfully named the Player of the Tournament. During that competition, the former PAOK star achieved a remarkable record, scoring five goals—the highest tally ever for a defender in the history of the AFCON tournament. Having previously played for clubs such as Gent, Bursaspor, Udinese, and Watford, the Super Eagles skipper is now recognized as one of the most influential African voices within Middle Eastern football. Al Kholood, who commenced their season with a 2-0 defeat against Al Nassr, are set to host Damac in Ar Rass for their first home match since the new American takeover.