It is often reported that you can earn a lot of money as an amateur footballer in Saudi Arabia. It must be said that the country is trying to structure its pyramid system and is not only focusing on the Saudi Pro League. Jan Kläui, Swiss YouTuber, tried his luck.
Katja Burgherr
When Jan Kläui learned that it was possible to earn up to 200,000 euros per year as an amateur footballer, playing in the 4th Saudi division, he wanted to see it for himself, by trying the adventure.
This 29-year-old Swiss YouTuber nevertheless encountered obstacles from the start, since in Saudi Arabia, most 4th division clubs do not have a website or Facebook page. Making contact was therefore difficult. Kläui was finally able to communicate with a 3rd division team, via Instagram. The video of his exploits caught on and he was quickly invited to take part in a trial.
Problem, Jan Kläui no longer plays football. He hung up his crampons at the age of 17. In order to show himself in the best light, he resumed training, including a camp in Spain.
But shortly before his departure for Saudi Arabia, it was a shock. Kläui injured his thigh in training. At the same time, the club with which he was in contact ceased to be interested in him. For the Swiss, this sudden silence is explained: after sharing a video detailing his project, it became trendy. The club in question has seen its number of followers increase and has certainly received many more requests from more talented players.
His whole adventure ⬇️
Jan Kläui nevertheless went to Saudi Arabia in May, where his odyssey truly began. There, he tried to meet the right people, who had been introduced to him by acquaintances. It came to nothing. He then went alone to the stadium where Al-Shabab, a 1st division club, resides. There, he met two players from the U17 team.
“I didn’t go there with the aim of getting a trial, my level is definitely too modest for the Saudi Pro League. I just wanted to take a few shots for a video,” he says with hindsight. However, these two juniors were of great help to him, and allowed him to have a great experience. They took him to their coach, who in turn introduced him to a club official.
“He showed me the stadium and talked to me about Saudi football,” explains Kläui. During the visit, the two men met the coach of the volleyball team of this sports club, who quickly offered the Swiss a professional contract.
“I thought it was a joke. But he persisted so much that I suddenly realized he was serious. Probably because I’m tall.”
Jan Kläui
But Kläui came for football, so he asked the manager if he could train with the first team and film the whole thing. Accepted, but no official test due to insurance issues. The Zurich resident was therefore present during the session, and was able to film what he wanted. He even had the pleasure of speaking Swiss German when meeting Ivan Rakitic, a footballer born in Switzerland and formerly with FC Basel.
Kläui with Ivan Rakitic.image: instagram
Jan Kläui’s journey to one of the most controversial countries in the world did not result in the contract he had hoped for. But it was worth it, according to him: “I was on the pitch with Rakitic. Fortunately I was able to film, otherwise no one would have believed me.”
Kläui did not think about the situation in Saudi Arabia, the human rights violations, topics that constantly come up when we talk about Saudi football. “As a foreigner, I didn’t pay attention to all this. I didn’t notice anything. I have absolutely no interest in politics, I just had to give it a try,” he explains. His journey was resolutely focused on football.
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