American Investor Ben Harburg Aims to Build Saudi Pro League's First 'Moneyball' Club at Al-Kholood

Key facts

• Al-Kholood was founded in 1970 in the city of Al-Rass.
• The club was promoted to the Saudi Pro League ahead of the 2024-25 season.
• Ben Harburg, co-owner of Spain’s Cadiz, acquired Al-Kholood in July 2025, the first foreign purchase of a Saudi club.
• Al-Kholood currently sits 10th in the 18-team table after eight matches.
• The club has advanced to the quarter-finals of the Saudi King's Cup for the first time this season.
• Signings include Argentine striker Ramiro Enrique from Orlando City, English midfielder John Buckley from Blackburn Rovers, and Saudi winger Abdulaziz Al-Aliwa from Al-Nassr.

A New Model for Saudi Football

When American investor Ben Harburg completed his acquisition of Al-Kholood in July, he became the first foreign owner of a Saudi Arabian football club. The club, promoted to the Saudi Pro League ahead of the 2024-25 season, had little name recognition beyond its home city of Al-Rass. Harburg sees that obscurity as an asset. "The club has a very short history and is a new participant in Saudi football. Most Saudis had never heard of it, which meant we could build it from scratch in our own way," he said in a Zoom interview. The limited fan base and lack of legacy, he argued, reduce external pressures and allow for a patient, long-term strategy.

The Brentford and Brighton Blueprint

Harburg's vision is explicitly modelled on two of the English Premier League's most analytically minded clubs. "If five years from now you call us the Brentford or Brighton of Saudi Arabia, we've done our job," he said. Both clubs have earned reputations for identifying undervalued talent and developing players for profit while maintaining competitive sides. Al-Kholood's immediate goal is avoiding relegation, but Harburg is thinking beyond survival. "The smarter decision is for us to kind of stay near the middle of the league. So don't get relegated, but don't overspend trying to outspend the big (clubs)," he explained. The club currently sits 10th in the 18-team table after eight matches.

Data-Driven Talent Acquisition

Central to Harburg's plan is a data-driven approach to player recruitment, inspired by the Oakland Athletics' 'Moneyball' model in Major League Baseball. "Data is essential for making decisions around players. But it's not just the data. It's knowing how to use it. It's knowing how to have a streamlined decision-making process," he said. Al-Kholood's early signings reflect this philosophy. The club brought in Argentine striker Ramiro Enrique from Orlando City, English midfielder John Buckley from Blackburn Rovers, and Saudi winger Abdulaziz Al-Aliwa from Al-Nassr. Each acquisition appears designed to balance immediate impact with potential resale value.

Building for the Future

Harburg's long-term strategy involves nurturing player development and capitalising on future transfers to reinvest in the squad. "We want to be the Red Bull of the region, where every player that comes out of... our academy or our talent identification is clearly of the highest quality," he added. The club has already made history this season by advancing to the quarter-finals of the Saudi King's Cup for the first time. While that run provides early validation, Harburg remains focused on the broader project: establishing Al-Kholood as a stable, mid-tier club that can compete sustainably without the financial firepower of the league's wealthiest teams.

Challenges Ahead

The Saudi Pro League has attracted global attention through lavish spending on stars like Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar, creating a high-stakes environment for a club with Al-Kholood's resources. Harburg's model rejects that arms race, betting instead on efficiency and discipline. The approach carries risks. Data-driven recruitment is only as good as the data and decision-making behind it, and the club's limited history provides little precedent for success. Yet Harburg's track record with Cadiz in Spain suggests a willingness to work within constraints. For now, Al-Kholood's position in mid-table offers a foundation on which to build.

A Test Case for Foreign Ownership

Harburg's acquisition of Al-Kholood is being watched closely as a potential template for further foreign investment in Saudi football. The league's rapid transformation has drawn comparisons to China's Super League experiment, but Harburg's emphasis on sustainability offers a different narrative. If the model succeeds, Al-Kholood could become proof that smaller clubs can thrive in the Saudi Pro League without outspending their rivals. If it fails, it may reinforce the notion that only massive investment can compete. The outcome will depend on whether Harburg's blend of data, patience, and modest ambition can overcome the gravitational pull of the league's big spenders.

The bottom line

• Ben Harburg is the first foreign owner of a Saudi Pro League club, having acquired Al-Kholood in July 2025.
• Al-Kholood was promoted to the top flight for the 2024-25 season and currently sits 10th after eight matches.
• Harburg aims to replicate the 'Moneyball' model used by Brentford and Brighton, focusing on data-driven recruitment and player development.
• The club has reached the Saudi King's Cup quarter-finals for the first time this season.
• Key signings include Ramiro Enrique, John Buckley, and Abdulaziz Al-Aliwa, reflecting a strategy of balancing immediate need with future resale value.
• Harburg's approach prioritises avoiding relegation and mid-table stability over trying to outspend the league's wealthiest clubs.