Saudi Pro League’s First Foreign Owner and Al Khoolood's Beloved: Ben Harburg

Saudi Arabia has welcomed its first foreign club owner in the Saudi Pro League, Ben Harburg. The American businesses officially took over Al-Kholood, a club based in Ar Rass, Al-Qassim Region, on July 24, 2025.

Harburg is no stranger to football investments. He also holds a 6.5 percent stake in Spanish second-tier side Cádiz CF, expanding his footprint across different football markets.

His ownership of Al-Kholood is expected to bring more foreign investment into the Saudi Pro League, positioning it as a safe haven for Asian football. Harburg has already gained admiration from locals after beginning to fulfill his promise of recruiting young talents, with John Buckley emerging as a difference-maker under head coach Des Buckingham.

Speaking to Arab News, Harburg outlined his vision:

“My primary objective is to make Al-Kholood financially sustainable. Beyond this, I plan to reinvest any proceeds back into the club.”

He also emphasized a willingness to adopt new approaches:

"We could be more experimental and creative with the process of building the club and its brand within the Saudi market.”

In just a few months of ownership, Harburg has already made his presence felt. The club’s summer acquisitions include Ramiro Enrique (Orlando City), Jackson Muleka (Beşiktaş), Abdulaziz Al-Aliwa (Al Nassr), Ramzi Solan (Damac), and John Buckley (Blackburn Rovers).

At 38, Harburg is a seasoned entrepreneur. He is the Managing Partner at MSA Capital, a global investment firm with over $2 billion in assets under management, and the owner of Harburg Group. His involvement in football extends beyond daily club management; at Cádiz, he serves as a board observer, assisting with international expansion strategies.

Harburg is an investor who breaks boundaries, and expansion into African football may be next on his agenda.