It has been a year since Turki Al-Sheikh’s arrival at UD Almería
Almeria have been in the national and international limelight since the Saudi Minister acquired the Rojiblanco’s club
On 2nd August 2019, the Saudi Minister Turki Al-Sheikh became the new president and owner of UD Almería when he acquired the shares of Alfonso García Gabarrón. The agreement was drawn up and verified by a notary. A year later, the Sheik's working team are meeting the objectives, they have consolidated the entity in all aspects and it looks to the future with high expectations. UD Almeria have been in the national and international limelight and therefore, the club have gained special prominence.
Almería are on the road that leads to the Spanish top flight. Reaching the Spanish football elite has been a priority for several years. The team are on the right track and the players are buckling down in order to enter the play-offs for promotion after having built a new squad in record time when the season was about to kick off.
Turki Al-Sheikh was not only undertaking a sports project, but also a social one. He has been determined to set a new benchmark, and he has more than achieved it so far. The Saudi Minister has promoted the UD Almeria Foundation and has also organised cultural and charitable activities, highlighting the spectacular Rozam Music Festival that brought together thousands of people at Las Almadrabillas Park ... Without a doubt, the contribution of 1,200,000 euros to help those most in need during the coronavirus pandemic was a lovely, kind gesture that the Almería society really appreciate.
Moreover, everything that led to the spread of the virus, with lockdown included, has obviously slowed down some of the club’s projects, such as that of the team’s training grounds (Ciudad Deportiva) or the Juegos Mediterraneos Stadium. However, these plans still stand. Although they are very ambitious actions, they do not depend only on the club itself. In any case, improvements have been made at Mediterraneo, such as the new top-notch stadium lighting. On the other hand, the entity, through its new leaders, have established good relationships with several provincial, autonomous and national institutions, as well as with other clubs in the Spanish second-tier, without forgetting the club's presence at social gatherings in the city and province of Almeria ... this journey has just begun!