Al-Ittihad Secures Loan Deal for Unai Hernandez with Girona

Al-Ittihad have reached an agreement with Girona over a season-long loan for Spanish midfielder Unai Hernandez, as the Jeddah club continue their overhaul ahead of the new campaign.

According to Saudi daily Al-Riyadiah, the deal sends Hernandez to the La Liga side for one year, with Girona securing an option to buy at the end of the loan. The Spanish club will reportedly shoulder only a limited portion of his salary, leaving Al-Ittihad to cover the rest as part of the arrangement.

The move underlines Al-Ittihad’s determination to reshape a squad that has grown increasingly congested in midfield. Hernandez, once seen as a project for the future, has slipped down the pecking order.

He joined Al-Ittihad from Barcelona in February 2025 on a three-year contract, arriving with the pedigree of a La Masia product and the label of one of the “Doyen’s” players. Early signs were promising: 10 appearances, one goal, three assists. Then the minutes dried up.

Last season told the story. Hernandez featured just once for Al-Ittihad, against Al-Nassr in the Saudi Super Cup semi-final, before being shipped out on loan to Al-Shabab for the second half of the campaign. There he played regularly — 31 matches — but without scoring and with only a single assist to his name.

Now comes a different test. Girona, who have built a reputation in Spain for developing technical, attack-minded players, offer Hernandez a fresh stage and a clear challenge: prove he belongs at the top level, or watch the option-to-buy clause quietly fade away.

For Al-Ittihad, it is a calculated move. For Hernandez, it might be the last big chance to turn potential into permanence.