Brazil’s Neymar finalises $100 mn transfer from PSG to Saudi club Al Hilal

Brazilian football star Neymar has officially completed his move from French champions Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) to Al Hilal of the Saudi Pro League, the clubs confirmed Tuesday.

The transition marks the end of a rollercoaster spell at the French club, spanning six years, after his arrival in Paris.

Neymar, 31, has reportedly been offered a two-year contract with an expected annual salary of around $100 million, which is half of the reported salary Christiano Ronaldo is being paid by Al Nassr.

Al Hilal agreed to a reported 90 million euros ($98m) transfer fee with PSG on Monday, reported Al Jazeera.

The most successful club in Saudi Arabia and Asia, Al Hilal has won 66 trophies and hold the record for the highest number of league and Asian Champions League titles, with 18 and four respectively.

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“I am here in Saudi Arabia, I am Hilali,” Neymar said in a video posted to Al Hilal’s social media accounts. “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. 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”, he said.

"Al Hilal is a giant club with fantastic fans, and it is the best in Asia. This gives me a feeling that it is the right decision for me at the right time with the right club. I love winning and scoring goals, and I plan to continue doing that in Saudi Arabia and with Al Hilal,” Neymar said in a statement.

PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi, in a statement, said: “It is always difficult to say goodbye to an amazing player like Neymar, one of the best players in the world.”

“I will never forget the day he arrived at Paris Saint-Germain, and what he has contributed to our club and our project over the last six years. We had a great moment and Neymar will always be a big part of our history,” he added.

Neymar joined PSG, owned by Qatar Sports Investments, from Barcelona in 2017 for a still-world record transfer fee of 222 million euros ($242m), a few weeks before they recruited Kylian Mbappe.

He scored 118 goals in 173 matches for the Paris club, in six injury-plagued seasons, winning five Ligue 1 titles and three French Cups. However, Neymar was increasingly targeted by the fans as the club failed to win the UEFA Champions League.

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