Member Success: Santiago Reig Thompson Joins Al Kholood
Jobs4Football is proud to highlight a further successful placement as experienced physiotherapist
Santiago Reig Thompson recently joined Saudi Pro League side
Al Kholood FC through our offline candidate sourcing process.
Reflecting on his recruitment experience, Santiago shared:
"Jobs4football process was simple and straightforward. They delivered full insights about football in Saudi Arabia and the exciting project at the club. Their support at every stage of project make the decision and transition to join the project a simple one.
Thanks Jobs4football"
Santiago brings an exceptional pedigree to Al Kholood, having spent over 15 years working at the highest levels of elite football across multiple continents. The Argentine physiotherapist has built his reputation as a specialist in biomechanical assessment, high-performance rehabilitation, and return-to-play protocols.
His recent career highlights demonstrate his ability to perform on the biggest stages in football. Most notably, Santiago was part of the medical team at
Al Ain FC in the United Arab Emirates from June 2023 to June 2025, where he played a crucial role in their historic AFC Champions League triumph in 2023/24. During his tenure at Al Ain, he served as Senior Team Physiotherapist and headed the biomechanical gait analysis and high-performance running assessments, while also serving as a member of the official medical team at the
FIFA Club World Cup 2025 in the USA.
Before his success in the UAE, Santiago was instrumental in
Defensa y Justicia's CONMEBOL Recopa Sudamericana championship in 2021, where the Argentine club defeated Brazilian giants Palmeiras on penalties after a thrilling aggregate draw. During his time at Defensa y Justicia from March 2021 to June 2023, he also helped the team achieve runner-up status in the Argentine League in 2021.
What truly sets Santiago apart is his extensive experience at Centro Ortopédico Peláez in Buenos Aires, where he served as Technical Manager and Lead Physiotherapist from September 2007 to March 2020. During this period, he treated some of football's most iconic figures, including
Lionel Messi, Ángel Di María, Gonzalo Higuaín, and tennis legend Juan Martín Del Potro. His work extended beyond individual athletes to include national teams and first-division clubs across Argentina, where he directed gait analysis and orthotic development programs.
Santiago's commitment to professional excellence is evident in his extensive educational background and certifications. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Kinesiology and Physiatry from Favaloro University in Argentina, with official degree recognition from
Spain's Ministry of Education and DOH licensure in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Currently, he is pursuing a Postgraduate Specialization in Sports Physiotherapy and a Master's degree in Football Injury Rehabilitation through FSI.
His arrival at Al Kholood comes at an exciting time for the club, which is competing in the Saudi Pro League for the first time in its history during the 2024-25 season after earning promotion. Under new American ownership by businessman
Ben Harburg, the club has emphasized smart recruitment and sustainable growth both on and off the pitch. With core competencies in biomechanical gait and running analysis, high-performance rehabilitation protocols, orthotic design, team leadership, and multidisciplinary coordination make him an ideal addition to Al Kholood's medical department. With his proven track record at championship-winning clubs and his experience working in the Gulf region, Santiago is well-positioned to contribute to the club's development as they establish themselves at the top level of Saudi football.
We wish Santiago all the best in his new role at Al Kholood and look forward to checking in over the coming months to follow his continued success in the Saudi Pro League.
