On Sunday, ESPN reported that Neymar was close to agreeing personal terms with Al Hilal after the clubs agreed on a transfer fee of €90 million ($98.6 million).
Neymar stated, “I have accomplished a great deal in Europe and experienced special moments, but I have always desired to be a global player and to test myself with new challenges and opportunities in new places.”
“I wish to rewrite the annals of sports, and the Saudi Pro League is currently brimming with tremendous energy and talented athletes. I have learned I am following a lengthy list of Brazilian players who have played in Saudi Arabia over the years, so I believe it is the desired location.
“Al Hilal is the finest club in Asia, boasting a massive fan base. This makes me believe I am making the right choice at the right time with the right club. I intend to continue winning and scoring goals for Al Hilal and Saudi Arabia.
Neymar will join his new Al Hilal compatriots Kalidou Koulibaly, Ruben Neves, and Sergej Milinkovi-Savi, who all joined the club earlier this summer.
In June, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund acquired Al Hilal and Al Nassr, Al Ahli, and Al Ittihad as part of its “Sports Clubs Investment and Privatization Project.”
According to reports, Neymar has been promised a two-year contract with an annual salary of approximately $100 million. That would be roughly half of Al Nassr’s reported compensation for Cristiano Ronaldo.
Al Hilal chairman Fahad bin Saad bin Nafel said, “Neymar Jr. is a global icon who has brought joy and pleasure to all fans wherever he plays.” “He is always in the forefront, and he always responds to it. We are thrilled that he has joined Al-Hilal, Asia’s most successful club.”
Neymar, 31, joined PSG in 2017 after Qatar Sports Investments paid a then-record €222 million transfer fee to prise him away from Barcelona.
He scored 118 goals in 173 appearances for the Paris club and won numerous trophies, including five Ligue 1 titles. However, as the club failed to win the UEFA Champions League, he became an increasing target of supporters.
“It is always difficult to say goodbye to an incredible player like Neymar, one of the best players in the world,” said Nasser Al-Khelafi, president and chief executive officer of Paris Saint-Germain.
“I will never forget the day he arrived at Paris Saint-Germain, nor the contributions he has made to our club and our initiative over the past six years. Neymar will be a significant part of our heritage forever. I am grateful to Neymar and his family. We wish Neymar the best of luck in the future and on his next journey.”
