Crystal Palace sporting director, who was linked with Manchester United, leaves to join third division club

Crystal Palace sporting director Dougie Freedman has left the membership, the Premier League aspect have introduced.

talkSPORT understands former Palace ahead Freedman is leaving Selhurst Park for a brand new problem in Saudi Arabia.

The Scot is becoming a member of Al Diriyah, who will play within the second tier of Saudi soccer subsequent season having gained the Saudi Second Division Group B.

talkSPORT additionally understands that Freedman would successfully be the top of sport for Diriyah Firm, which means he would possess an expansive function throughout a number of sports activities.

It is an sudden transfer for Freedman, who appeared set to hitch Manchester United final summer time, however Al Diriyah are a membership with potential to enhance vastly.

Al Diriyah are owned by the Saudi Public Funding Fund [PIF], who additionally personal Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr, Al Ittihad, Al Ahli and reigning Saudi champions Al Hilal.

In the meantime, the PIF additionally led the Saudi takeover of Premier League membership Newcastle in 2021.

Freedman is to start his new journey in Saudi Arabia having beforehand been courted by two of the Premier League’s greatest golf equipment in Man United and Newcastle.

The 50-year-old is alleged to have turned down Newcastle final summer time as they touted him to exchange Dan Ashworth, who was poached by Man United.

Freedman was additionally linked with Man United in the summertime after which once more in December following Ashworth’s sudden departure from Outdated Trafford.

Freedman held the sporting director function at Palace since 2017 having represented them as a participant for ten years over two spells. He additionally managed the membership in a short 18-month stint.

He stated: “I want to prolong my due to Steve Parish, the opposite house owners and to all of the employees, managers and gamers who’ve been on the membership throughout my time right here.

2

“I’ve completely loved studying from and dealing alongside you all.

“It’s been an honour to characterize the membership and I’m extremely pleased with the work that’s been achieved, with the Chairman’s help, in rising the soccer membership into its present place.

“To be leaving the membership with a squad filled with thrilling expertise led by a wonderful supervisor, I really imagine the foundations are in place to be constructed upon.

“Lastly, an enormous thanks to all of the followers on your continued help and fervour – particularly with the way you’ve helped new signings and Academy merchandise settle into life at Selhurst Park by supporting and getting behind the group.

“Crystal Palace is and can all the time stay in my coronary heart, and I’ll proceed to search for outcomes and comply with the membership’s progress intently.”

In the meantime, Palace chairman Parish stated: “Dougie has been instrumental in every part we’ve got achieved over the previous eight years and certainly had a huge effect earlier than that as supervisor and, in fact, as a participant.

“I’ve loved working with him immensely and need him each success for the longer term. Dougie leaves behind a wonderful and well-structured sporting division that I’m certain will proceed to go from energy to energy.”

Al Diriyah are situated on the outskirts of Riyadh and boast a 15,000-seater stadium.

Diriyah is the unique house of the Saudi royal household and shall be a giant a part of the 2034 World Cup.