Stefan Cleary Loaned to Beveren for Development

Al-Ittihad have opened the door for Stefan Cleary to leave on loan, sending the young talent to Belgian side Beveren in search of the one thing he cannot be guaranteed in Jeddah right now: minutes.

The club, known as "The Dean", confirmed on Tuesday evening via their official X account that Beveren’s request for a loan has been approved. The deal runs until the end of the current season, a temporary break from "The Tigers" and a first real test for Cleary on European soil.

This is not a punishment. It is a plan.

Al-Ittihad want Cleary playing, not waiting. With competition for places fierce and new faces arriving, the coaching staff and hierarchy see regular football abroad as the quickest route to real growth. Belgium offers him that space — a different league, a new rhythm, and the kind of weekly pressure that shapes a player.

The expectation is clear: Cleary will remain with Beveren until the campaign finishes, then report back to Al-Ittihad once the season closes, unless fresh developments emerge over his long-term future. Every appearance, every training session in Belgium will feed into that decision.

Before he left, the club’s management made sure the exit felt like a launch, not a farewell. They sent a message of support, wishing him success and expressing their hope that he returns from Belgium sharper, tougher and more experienced.

His departure is part of a broader strategy. Al-Ittihad are reshaping their squad with intent this season, blending arrivals with targeted loans, using foreign stints to harden young players away from the spotlight at home. The internal competition is intense; only those who grow keep their place in the long-term picture.

So Stefan Cleary steps away from Al-Ittihad, but not out of their plans. He heads to Beveren with the club’s blessing, chasing game time, form and development — and the chance to prove he belongs in the fight for a permanent role when he comes back.