Neymar joins Saudi club Al-Hilal from PSG on a two-year contract.

Neymar has signed a two-year contract with Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal after six years with PSG, where he won multiple domestic medals but not the Champions League, which the team seeks.

There were no financial specifics released yesterday, although the fee was rumoured to be over €90 million (RM455 million) plus add-ons, subject to a medical for the 31-year-old.

According to the French publication L’Equipe, the transfer may fetch Neymar €160 million.

Al-Hilal of the Saudi Professional League (SPL) announced that Neymar had signed a contract extension until 2025, with the Brazilian adding in a video posted to the team’s social media channels, “I am here in Saudi Arabia, I am Hilali.”

“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 after signing the contract in Paris yesterday.

“I want to make new sporting history, and the Saudi Pro League right now has tremendous energy and quality players.”

“I’ve heard a lot and discovered that I’m following a long list of Brazilian players who have played in Saudi Arabia over the years, so I believe it’s the desired location.”

“I enjoy winning and scoring goals, and I intend to do so in Saudi Arabia and with Al-Hilal.”

Neymar joins Saudi club Al-Hilal from PSG on a two-year contract.

Record fee

Neymar moved to PSG from Barcelona in 2017 for a world record cost of €222 million. In 173 games for the Paris club, he scored 118 goals and won various accolades, including five Ligue 1 crowns.

Neymar won the Champions League with Barcelona in 2015, but PSG finished second to Bayern Munich in the 2020 final.

“It is inevitably difficult to say goodbye to a club legend, which Neymar will always be,” PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi said in a statement.

“I’ll never forget the day he arrived at PSG, or what he’s brought to our club and our project over the last six years.”

“We’ve had some incredible moments, and Neymar will forever be a part of our history.” I’d like to express my gratitude to him and his family.”

Neymar has also played 124 times for Brazil, scoring 77 goals, tying Pele’s three-time World Cup record. He was a member of Brazil’s Confederations Cup-winning team in 2013.

Saudi transfers

Al-Hilal is the most successful club in Saudi Arabia and Asia, having won 66 trophies including the most league and Asian Champions League titles (18 and four, respectively).

Strengthening the squad is a goal for the Riyadh-based club, following the announcement in June of a sports club investment and privatisation project including league champions Al-Ittihad, Al-Ahli, Al-Nassr, and Al-Hilal by the Saudi Public Investment Fund.

The Saudi Pro League season began on Friday after spending over $500 million to entice a slew of great players and coaches from European clubs.

Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal joined Al-Nassr last season just after the Qatar World Cup in a deal that made him the world’s highest-paid athlete, while Al-Ittihad recruited French striker Karim Benzema from Real Madrid.

Riyad Mahrez, Edouard Mendy, and Roberto Firmino have all joined Al-Ahli after winning the Uefa Champions League.

Al-Hilal also attempted to sign Neymar’s former teammates, France star Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi, but the Argentine eventually chose Inter Miami of Major League Soccer. According to Reuters