Jesse Lingard, the English professional soccer player, has joined Al-Ettifaq on training valid for one month. As the former Manchester United forward ponders his next move, he will train with the Saudi club Al-Ettifaq. He will link up with Steven Gerrard in Saudi Arabia for the next month during the club’s training sessions.
Jesse Lingard has been without a club for almost two months into the season. Al-Ettifaq, managed by Steven Gerrard, announced on Friday that Lingard is going to join the club’s training facilities for a month.
Jesse Lingard joins #Ettifaq training for a month 🏃🏴 https://t.co/6nMChXyZKK
— Ettifaq Club (@Ettifaq_EN) September 22, 2023
Lingard left Nottingham Forest as a free agent in June after his one-year contract expired with the club. The 30-year-old was a failed transfer for Forest fans. He only managed to score two goals and two assists in his 20 appearances for Steve Cooper’s side.
According to Fabrizio Romano, if Steven Gerrard is impressed with Lingard in training, He might be offered a formal contract at the club. He will then become the third Premier League player to join Al-Ettifaq, after Jordan Henderson and Demarai Gray.
🚨🇸🇦 Jesse Lingard has joined Al Ettifaq on training valid for one month — as he’s still available as free agent.
Up to Lingard and Ettifaq if they want to proceed together, Steven Gerrard will be key to decide too. pic.twitter.com/aYMhubGYgd
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) September 22, 2023
Lingard is a player with a lot of potential. But he hasn’t been able to rise to his best at any club he has joined till now. When he was at Manchester United, he was considered the next big star at the club. Unfortunately, that did not happen, and he left his boyhood club after the expiration of his contract last summer.
Jesse Lingard chooses Al-Ettifaq over West Ham
There were a lot of rumors and suggestions that Lingard was on the verge of returning to West Ham United. He thrived at West Ham, where he went on loan from United in the second half of the 2021-22 season.
He netted a total of nine goals and provided five assists in 16 appearances for the Hammers, helping David Moyes’ side challenge for a top-four spot that season. Moreover, it was reported that Lingard was training with West Ham after leaving the City Ground. David Moyes himself said, “Jesse has trained with us for three weeks and he’s improved greatly from when he first came in“.
NEW 🚨 Jesse Lingard to #WHUFC latest ⬇️
🗣️ ‘He trained with the first team at Rush Green today. However, West Ham insiders are now suggesting it is UNLIKELY they will snap up Lingard. The decision is ultimately down to David Moyes’. ⚒️
More on @MailSport 🟢 pic.twitter.com/SoXlw1G5Yl
— Mail Sport (@MailSport) September 13, 2023
Lingard was in his best form when he was at West Ham, but he could strike a deal with West Ham. Now, he goes ahead with the next stage of his career. It will be interesting to see if Lingard can impress manager Steven Gerrard enough to get a long-term contract at Al-Ettifaq.