Doha, October 14 (QNA) - Al Shamal announced Wednesday that it had officially signed Algerian star Riyad Mahrez to join its first-team squad for the current season.

The club said in a statement on its official website that Mahrez had signed the contract in the presence of Meshaal Al Ali, the club's head of football, after completing the required medical examinations.

Mahrez, 35, is one of the leading figures in Algerian football. He helped his national team win the Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt in 2019 and has an extensive collection of club honors. These include five English Premier League titles — one with Leicester City and four with Manchester City — as well as three League Cups, two FA Cups and one FA Community Shield. He also won the UEFA Champions League with Manchester City.

Born in France, Mahrez began his professional career with Quimper in 2009 before moving to Le Havre the following year. He joined Leicester City in 2014 and helped the club win the Premier League title in 2016.

Mahrez moved to Saudi Arabia's Al Ahli in 2023, spending three seasons with the club. During that time, he helped it win the AFC Champions League Elite in 2025 and 2026, as well as the Saudi Super Cup once.

Mahrez's arrival is expected to provide a significant boost to Al Shamal, given his individual ability, extensive experience in European and Asian competitions, and international career. His signing is intended to strengthen the club's ambitions as it pursues its goals for the current season.

Al Shamal sits fifth in the Doha Bank Stars League with eight points. The club is scheduled to face Lusail on Saturday in the fifth round before taking on Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal on Oct. 27 in the AFC Champions League Elite. (QNA)