Buckley, aged 26, completed a move to Saudi Pro League club Al-Kholood in August of 2025 to bring an end to 20 years at Blackburn Rovers.

The Englishman joined Rovers as a child and rose through the youth ranks before appearing 169 times for the first team, scoring nine goals and registering 15 assists.

Transfers to Saudi Arabia are becoming more common each year, with Buckley the latest player to make the switch.

"It progressed pretty quickly. Obviously, I was at Blackburn for a long time, like 20 years," Buckley told Flashscore. "I just wanted to experience something different.

"I think the project that they displayed to me really suited me and it's coming to Saudi Arabia, I wouldn't be able to come do anything like this any other time if it wasn't for football."

Head over to the full article on Flashscore.

John Buckley

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