Despite hailing from 500km west of Buraidah, Al Taawoun has always been home for Abdulfattah Adam. After impressing with Al Jeel and Al Hazem earlier in his career, the Medina-born forward landed at Al Taawoun midway through the 2017-18 season. And, after making four appearances of the bench, Adam announced his arrival with his first start of the season against Al Ittihad – in stunning fashion.
With two goals and an assist, all in the first half, Adam helped blitz the Jeddah giants as Al Taawoun recorded a thumping 5-2 win. Adam, then 22, would finish that campaign with three goals in eight matches, playing his part in Al Taawoun concluding the campaign in seventh place. While it was a good introduction to the Roshn Saudi League for the striker, both he and the club aspired for more.
Despite their relatively modest resources, , to borrow a parlance from another sport. A few seasons earlier, in 2015-16, they had finished fourth and qualified for the group stage of the AFC Champions League. For Adam, as an emerging talent making his way in the game, three goals in eight games represented a decent return for his first experience of top-flight football.
Yet he wanted more. Come the 2018-19 season, both player and club hit their straps. Al Taawoun finished a club-best third, while Adam bagged 12 goals in 25 games.
Of the RSL’s local Saudis, only Saleh Al Shehri scored more, netting 16 times for Al Raed. With a further three goals in Al Taawoun’s successful King’s Cup campa.
