Brazilian striker Neymar, on Tuesday, bid farewell to French champions Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) after six years as he signed a two-year deal with Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal.
Al-Hilal has roped in Neymar until 2025, and will reportedly pay PSG €90 million as a transfer fee for the star forward.
Saudi Professional League (SPL) club Al-Hilal announced Neymar’s signing with a video on the team’s social media accounts.
Neymar can be seen in the video saying, “I am here in Saudi Arabia, I am Hilali.”
“I am here in Saudi Arabia, i am HILALI 💙”@neymarjr #AlHilal
pic.twitter.com/q7VUhf0FnQ— AlHilal Saudi Club (@Alhilal_EN) August 15, 2023
After signing the contract, the star Brazilian expressed his excitement to embark on a new adventure and test himself with ‘new challenges and opportunities in new places.’
“I have achieved a lot in Europe and enjoyed special times, but I have always wanted to be a global player and test myself with new challenges and opportunities in new places,” Neymar said.
“I want to write new sporting history, and the Saudi Pro League has tremendous energy and quality players at the moment,” he further added.
📝 Neymar Jr Signs With Al-Hilal Until 2025#AlHilal 💙#Neymar_Hilali pic.twitter.com/Ll3FV6ouph
— AlHilal Saudi Club (@Alhilal_EN) August 15, 2023
Neymar has joined the list of star players like Karim Benzema, and Sadio Mane, who joined Saudi Arabian clubs following the footsteps of Cristiano Ronaldo, who joined Al-Nassr last season.
“I have heard a lot and learned that I am following a long list of Brazilian players who have played in Saudi Arabia over the years, so I believe it is the desired place. I love winning and scoring goals, and I plan to continue doing that in Saudi Arabia and with Al-Hilal” said Neymar.
Neymar joined PSG in 2017 for a world record fee of 222 million euros ($242 million). He scored 118 goals in 173 matches for PSG, winning five Ligue 1 titles and three French Cups.
Al-Hilal also reportedly tried to rope in Neymar’s former Barcelona and PSG team-mate Lionel Messi, however, the Argentinian went on to sign for American club Inter Miami.
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