In a move that could mark a significant milestone in his career, young Al-Qasim club striker Saif Rashed is close to transferring to Moldovan club Sheriff Tiraspol, one of the most prominent teams in Eastern Europe, as advanced negotiations between the two parties are expected to be finalized in the coming days.

Saif Rashed, 21 years old, is considered one of the standout attacking talents in the Iraqi Premier League this season, having delivered impressive performances in the Al-Qasim jersey, scoring 15 goals so far, placing him among the top scorers in the competition, alongside attracting attention with his high physical and skillful abilities.

Many clubs have been monitoring the player, but Sheriff has shown a serious and swift interest in finalizing the deal, driven by admiration for his level and flexibility in the attack, as well as his efforts to strengthen their squad ahead of the European competitions.

Sheriff Tiraspol is not an ordinary name in the old continent; it is the most successful team in Moldova and the most prominent in continental competitions, having previously achieved surprising results in the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Europa League.

This year, Sheriff is participating in the UEFA Europa League qualifiers, with expectations of facing Dutch club Utrecht in the second round, opening the door for a unique scenario of an all-Iraqi clash between Saif Rashed and Zidan Iqbal, the star of Utrecht.

Player Saif Rashed has previously received several offers from European and Gulf clubs, but Sheriff’s offer came more serious and swift in terms of negotiations and official readiness, while informed sources indicate that matters are moving towards a near-final agreement, pending administrative and medical resolution in the coming hours.

This development has received significant support from Al-Qasim fans and the Iraqi public in general, especially since the transfer of a young player from the local league to a prestigious European club represents a morale boost for local talents and a clear message that excellence in the Iraqi league can serve as a gateway to Europe.

If the deal is finalized officially, Saif Rashed will be the third Iraqi player to embark on a direct European professional experience in recent years, following several players, most notably Ali Jassim, reflecting the positive change in the image of young Iraqi players among European scouts.