Neymar Jr. has become the latest star soccer player to join the Saudi Pro League. The Brazilian striker agreed to a two-year contract with Saudi Arabia’s top-tier league, Al-Hilal club. The player is set to undergo his medical, after which he will fly to Riyadh to join his new club. His former club, Paris Saint-Germain, has also accepted Al-Hilal's offer of 90 million Euros for Neymar. This signing comes six years after the French domestic giant shelled out a record 222 million Euros to FC Barcelona to buy Neymar, who spent six tumultuous years at the club, filled with frequent injury problems.
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Neymar’s signing comes at a time when the Saudi Pro League clubs are pursuing an aggressive recruitment strategy in this summer’s transfer window. Most of the clubs in the league, such as Al-Hilal, Al-Nassr, Al-Ittihad, etc., have been offering profitable contracts to some of the best players of the sport.
Neymar is the latest high-profile player to seal a deal with a Saudi Arabian club this summer, following Jordan Henderson, Ruben Neves, and Roberto Firmino.
Some of the other high-profile players who made their move to Saudi Arabia are:
Cristiano Ronaldo - Al-Nassr: Ronaldo made waves with his contentious departure from Manchester United, taking his career to Saudi Arabia's Al-Nassr. The move marked a surprising turn in his journey as he sought new challenges on the Gulf stage.
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Karim Benzema - Al-Ittihad: Reigning Ballon D'Or winner Karim Benzema bid adieu to Real Madrid after an era marked by five Champions League triumphs. He embarked on a fresh chapter in his career, joining Al-Ittihad and leaving behind a legacy of exceptional success in the Spanish capital.
Riyad Mahrez - Al-Ahli: Al-Ahli secured the signing of Algerian winger Riyad Mahrez from Manchester City in a deal valued up to £30 million. Mahrez's arrival showcased the league's growing allure for top-tier talent.
Jordan Henderson - Al-Ettifaq: Former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson's 12-year tenure at Anfield concluded as he embarked on a journey to join Al-Ettifaq in Saudi Arabia. His reunion with former teammate Steven Gerrard, now the club’s manager, added a captivating twist to his move.
