Al-Ittihad Loan Stefan Cleary to Beveren for Development

Al-Ittihad have opened the door for Stefan Cleary to step into Europe, approving a loan move to Belgian side Beveren until the end of the current season.

The club, known as "The Dean", confirmed on Tuesday evening via their official X account that Beveren’s request for a temporary deal had been accepted. Cleary now leaves "The Tigers" for a first taste of Belgian football, a calculated move designed to accelerate his development rather than signal a permanent parting.

This is about minutes, not headlines. Al-Ittihad want the young talent on the pitch regularly, not trapped on the fringes of a fiercely competitive squad. Beveren should give him what he has struggled to find at home: consistent game time, responsibility, and the space to make mistakes and grow.

The plan is clear. Cleary is expected to remain in Belgium until the season concludes, then report back to Al-Ittihad unless new developments emerge over his future in the coming months. The door back to Jeddah stays open.

Behind the scenes, the move fits a broader strategy. Al-Ittihad are reshaping their squad with care this season, adding fresh faces while sending others out on loan to sharpen their edge abroad. Internal competition is intense; only those ready to contribute immediately can be guaranteed a role. For a youngster like Cleary, a loan is not a demotion. It is an audition.

Before he left, the club’s management sent him off with a message of support, wishing him success in Belgium and expressing hope that he returns more mature, more polished, and ready to fight for a place.

So Cleary heads to Beveren with the club’s blessing, chasing more minutes, better form and real progress. What he does with this window of opportunity will decide how big a role he plays in Al-Ittihad’s future.