Crystal Palace have confirmed that Dougie Freedman has left his role as sporting director, with the former Scotland forward expected to join a club that has just been promoted from Saudi Arabia’s third tier.
In a surprise turn of events, Palace announced on Monday evening that Freedman would be leaving with immediate effect “to take up a role overseas”. It is understood that he is poised to become sporting director of Al-Diriyah, who have been playing in Saudi Arabia’s second division but have been promoted as champions after the season finished at the weekend. Their ownership was transferred to Diriyah Company, owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF) in July, with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman named as chair.
