Former Hearts midfielder Benjamin Afutu joins Saudi Arabian club Al Taqadum

Former Hearts of Oak midfielder Benjamin Afutu Kotey has completed a transfer move to Saudi Arabian club Al-Taqadom FC in the ongoing transfer window.

The 26-year-old defensive midfielder signed a one-year renewable contract with the Saudi lower-tier side on a free transfer.

Afutu has been unattached following a mutual termination of his contract with Egyptian top-tier club Eastern Company SC – nine months after joining the club.

The midfielder joined the Egyptian club from the Hearts in September 2021 after a successful campaign where he helped the Phobians win the Ghana League and FA Cup.

But the midfielder struggled for regular playing time with the Egyptian club in his debut season, making only eight appearances.

There were reports of the player returning to the Phobians but the club opted against signing him ahead of the 2022/23 season which commences next month.

He is set to team up with a former colleague at Hearts, Bernard Arthur to ensure Al-Taqadom’s return to the Saudi second-tier at the end of the 2022-23 season.