Salah Eddine Oulad M'Hand (2003)
Attacking Midfielder • Riga FC | Virsliga, Latvia
Summary
🪄 Feyenoord & Arsenal academy product with outstanding technique, vision & close control
🎯 Strong two-footed playmaker with superb passing & deadly set pieces
⚽ 8 goals & 8 assists in 25 games for Riga FC
🔝 A high-upside creator finally finding his level, with the tools to make the step to a stronger European league
Scouting Report
Salah Eddine Oulad M’Hand • 22-year-old attacking midfielder / left winger • The Netherlands
Salah Eddine Oulad M’Hand is a 22-year-old attacking midfielder, turning 23 the day after this report, who can also play on the wing. At 177 cm, he is not physically imposing, but shows good body strength, a low centre of gravity and excellent balance as he almost glides and dances around the pitch. Technically very gifted, he combines excellent close control and dribbling with good pace and acceleration. He is not a sprinter, but is light and nimble on his feet, able to turn on a penny where others need an orbit around the sun.
His standout trait, however, is his ability to read the game. He anticipates where teammates and opponents will be, finds pockets of space and uses his excellent passing to dictate play. Predominantly right-footed, his left foot is also highly reliable, making him effectively two-footed and difficult to read. He can deliver accurate long balls, through balls and precise crosses with either foot.
His right foot is also a major weapon from set pieces. He has already scored twice from direct free kicks from around 20 metres this season, while his whipped free kicks and sniper-like corner delivery from either side make him a constant threat. He is also involved in a high number of goals through the quality of his deliveries, even when he is not the direct scorer or assister.
Defensively, Oulad M’Hand contributes more than his attacking profile might suggest. He wins 6.5 ground duels (46%) per 90 minutes according to SofaScore, adding another layer to an otherwise highly technical playmaker.
Areas for improvement
At 177 cm and playing primarily as a playmaker, excellent aerial ability is not necessarily expected, but this is certainly an area where Oulad M’Hand can improve.
His ambition to play progressive and risky passes can also lead to unnecessary turnovers, particularly when the team is committed high up the pitch. Better judgement on when to attempt these passes and when to retain possession will be important at a higher level. Regular first-team football at Riga FC should help him develop this aspect naturally.
Career trajectory and current form
Oulad M’Hand joined the highly regarded Feyenoord academy in 2012 and received his formative football education in the Dutch system before joining Arsenal’s academy in 2020. After impressing at youth level, he was set to join Championship side Hull City for the 2022/23 season with an option to buy, but an injury prevented him from making an appearance. Instead, he spent time on loan at Dutch second-tier side Den Bosch, recording 3 goals and 1 assist in 19 appearances between September 2023 and May 2024.
Returning to Arsenal’s youth setup, he was included in the first-team matchday squad a couple of times but could not break into an exceptionally strong senior side. Arsenal released him in July 2025. Despite reported interest from Eredivisie clubs such as Go Ahead Eagles and Heerenveen, it was Latvian giants Riga FC who eventually secured the former Arsenal prospect in January 2026.
The season did not start particularly well, with Oulad M’Hand often used on the wing and struggling to impose himself on matches. That changed when he moved into a central attacking midfield role in May. Since then, he has emerged as one of the brightest attacking players in the Latvian Virsliga, recording 8 goals and 8 assists in 25 matches. One corner led directly to an own goal, while another assist was incorrectly taken away from him, further underlining his influence from set pieces.
Despite this production, Riga’s considerable squad depth means he is not yet an automatic starter. The talent to play in a significantly higher-ranked league is clearly there, but the next step is to make himself indispensable at Riga before being rewarded with a move.
Transfer outlook
Latvia currently sits 36th in UEFA’s league coefficient rankings following several encouraging European campaigns.
Given his background, Dutch football would be a natural fit. A 4-3-3 system in the Norwegian Eliteserien could also suit him perfectly, particularly as an attacking number eight with freedom to create.
As highlighted in several of our previous reports, Belgian clubs appear to have an excellent overview of the Latvian market and are increasingly active in recruiting players who have gained regular first-team experience there.
Oulad M’Hand was a real scoop for Riga FC and an important addition to their ambition of becoming a regular European competitor. We are certain scouts are following his development, but a transfer is unlikely before the January window at the earliest. A fee in the region of €1.5–2 million could be expected, potentially representing excellent value for a player with his technical quality and upside.
Structured player data
Player facts
- Nationality
- 🇳🇱 Netherlands · 🇲🇦 Morocco
- Date of birth
- 20/08/2003 ()
- Height
- 177 cm
- Dominant foot
- Right
- Two-footed ability
- Strong
- Positions
- 1 Attacking Midfielder Centre 2 Left Winger Left
