Saad Natiq


Saad Natiq Naji is an Iraqi footballer who plays for Al-Shorta in the Iraqi Premier League as a defender and defensive midfielder.

Club career

Born in Najaf Saad went through the Al-Najaf FC youth system and made his senior debut with his home club under Hatif Shamran in 2009 and was part of the club’s first team for two seasons. However it was in the Iraqi capital that Saad made his name, when he joined Doura-based oil refinery club Al-Masafi in the south of Baghdad where he played for three seasons – earning his selection to the Iraqi U-19s. It was under Hakim Shaker that Saad Natiq or Suad Natiq – the English spelling in his passport became one of the nation’s recognised defenders. Saad Natiq was born in 1990 according to the identification card issued by the Ministry of Youth this year however his passport states March 19, 1994 – allowing him to play for the Iraqi Under 19s at the FIFA World U-20 Cup in Turkey. It was his spell at Al-Masafi under the command of trainers Hassan Ahmed and Nadhim Shaker that he developed as a player and was transformed into a strong tackling centre half after used in several positions at the club including at right back having first started out as a midfield anchor in his early days atAl-Najaf. In the summer of 2014, the defender was signed by his former Al-Masafi club coach Nadhim Shaker to play for Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya after his club were relegated to the first division.

Al Arabi

Saad Natiq signed for Al Arabi for the 2017/18 season. He made his debut on September 17 against Al Sailiya which ended in a 3-1 defeat. He scored his first goal in the Qatar Stars League against Al Rayyan on November 19, with his second coming in the same match.

International career

On August 26, 2015, Natiq made his first international appearance for Iraq against Lebanon in a friendly match.

Honours

Club

;Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya
;Al-Shorta
;Iraq U-20
;Iraq U-23