Sports

Transfer: Top Players Who Moved To Saudi Arabia This Summer

Published

3 years ago

September 8, 2023

The 2023 summer transfer window in the Saudi Pro League closed on Thursday, with many players moving from top European clubs and leagues to the Middle East.

The signing of Manchester United and Real Madrid legend Cristiano Ronaldo could be said to be the statement signing that ‘inspired’ other players to move to Saudi Arabia. Ronaldo joined Al Nassr in January after leaving Manchester United for the second time.

In June, the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) announced it would control 75 percent of four teams in the league: Al Nassr, Al Ahli, Al Ittihad, and Al Hilal, with a non-profit organization controlling 25 percent.

The takeover by the PIF, which owns an 80 percent stake in Newcastle, proved successful, and players like Karim Benzema and Ngolo Kante became the first high-profile players to join the league.

According to reports, Saudi League clubs spent over €850 million on transfers this summer.

Here is a list of some top players who joined the Saudi Pro League (in no particular order).

Neymar Jnr

Neymar became the world’s most expensive footballer when he joined Paris Saint Germain from Barcelona in 2017 for £200 million. After six seasons at the club, Neymar was set for a return to Barcelona, but the deal fell through.

On August 15, Neymar completed a move to Al Hilal from PSG in an £80 million deal and signed a two-year contract.

Karim Benzema

French forward, Karim Benzema was among the high-profile players that joined the league at the start of the transfer window.

Although he initially denied reports linking him with a move away from the Bernabeu, the 35-year-old joined Al Ittihad in June.

“I had a dream in my head—to sign for Madrid and to end up at Madrid, but sometimes there are other opportunities,” Benzema said after his move.

N’golo Kante

N’golo Kante completed a move to Al-Ittihad after he recovered from an injury-laden season with Chelsea. Upon his return to the Blues late into the 2022–2023 season, Kante could not replicate his ‘usually’ superb form and couldn’t help the team from a 12th-place finish in the league. He will reportedly earn around €100 million at the club.

Riyadh Mahrez

Mahrez was part of the Manchester City squad that won the treble last season, including the Champions League for the first time in the club’s history.

The Algerian international was also part of the Leicester City side that won the Premier League in 2015. Mahrez joined Al-Ahli for a fee of £30 million and will earn £45 million per year.

Sadio Mane

Sadio Mane endured a disappointing campaign towards the end of his Bayern Munchen stint as he had a rift with the team’s management and was immediately touted to be evicted from the team. Mane opted to accept a deal from Saudi Arabian outfit Al-Nassr and joins veteran Cristiano Ronaldo in the club.

Roberto Firmino

Another former Liverpool striker, Roberto Firmino, joined Al-Ahli for free after being on the bench for a greater part of his last season at the club. Firmino will earn £326,000 per week at Al-Ahli.

Eduardo Mendy

Mendy fell off the pecking order at Chelsea when Graham Potter took over the reins at Stamford Bridge. The Senegalese goalkeeper had to watch from the bench as Kepa Arizzabalaga reclaimed his place between the sticks. Mendy joined Al-Ahli in June.

Jordan Henderson

Jordan Henderson formed a part of the Liverpool exodus that moved to the Saudi League. The former Liverpool captain will play under former Liverpool player, Steven Gerrard at El-Ettiqaf.

Ruben Neves

Neves raised a lot of eyebrows when he moved to the league, rejecting offers from Barcelona and a few English clubs.

The Portuguese completed a €55 million move from Wolverhampton Wanderers to join Al Hilal and will reportedly earn about £300,000 per week at the club.

Kalidou Koulibaly

The Senegalese star was among the first set of players signed by Todd Boehly at Chelsea. After one season at the club, the 30-year-old completed a move to Al Hilal.

Others are Marcelo Brozovic (Al Nassr), Sergej Milinkovic-Savic (Al Hilal), Alex Telles (Al Nassr), Moussa Dembele (Al Ettifaq), Aymeric Laporte (Al Nassr), and Georginio Wijnaldum (Al Ettifaq).

Sports

EPL: Rooney Names Team To Win Title

Published

12 hours ago

May 5, 2026

Editor

Former Manchester United striker, Wayne Rooney, has said Arsenal will go on to win the Premier League title, after Manchester City dropped points against Everton.

City were held to a 3-3 draw at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Monday night.

The result means Pep Guardiola’s men are now five points behind Arsenal, but they have one game in hand.

Rooney believes the Gunners will beat West Ham this weekend and go on to be champions.

He said on BBC Sport: “No, I’m concerned for West Ham. I just think Arsenal are efficient and professional.

“I just think they will win every game. So obviously, with the result tonight, that means they will win the league.”

Sports

UCL, EPL: Petr Cech Advises Chelsea On How To Win Trophies

Published

2 days ago

May 4, 2026

Editor

Chelsea legend, Petr Cech, has advised his old club on how to win the UEFA Champions League or the English Premier League.

Chelsea are already out of the Premier League title race this season, and they are at risk of missing out on UEFA Champions League qualification for next season because they are currently not in the ninth position on the Premier League table.

Speaking to The Athletic about Chelsea, Cech said that the Blues need to change their philosophy of signing only young players if they want to win the Premier League or Champions League.

According to the former goalkeeper, the Premier League west London club needs to add experienced players to mentor the young players in the squad.

“You have to look at what you want to achieve. You can have young, talented players, and you can win, but it’s very rare that you manage to do that,” he said.

“If you want to win every season and compete every season, that does not go together.

“You have to change your philosophy. Certain things don’t go together because, in order to win a Champions League or a Premier League… these are really tough competitions, and you have to be consistent.

“You need to have a strong core of the team. And then you can bring young, talented players who will grow faster and then will be held by the experienced players to help navigate them through difficult times when they come.”

Currently, Chelsea have just one player, Tosin Adarabioyo, who is over 28 this season, and the defender has not been playing regularly.

Sports

Enabulele Lauds Okpebholo’s Bold Reforms As Edo Sports Witnesses Revival

Published

6 days ago

April 30, 2026

Editor

The Executive Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, Hon. Amadin Desmond Enabulele, has commended Governor Monday Okpebholo for what he described as a bold and transformative approach to sports development.

Speaking on efforts to reposition sports in the state, Enabulele noted that with Okpebholo’s visionary leadership, the sector has witnessed renewed growth.

In a statement issued by his Media Officer, Edoko Wilson Edoko, the Edo Sports Commission boss attributed the progress to the governor’s strategic policies and sustained commitment to youth development, which he said have laid the foundation for a more structured and results-driven system.

“His Excellency has demonstrated clear vision and genuine commitment to sports development. The level of support we are receiving has significantly repositioned Edo as a competitive force in national sporting events,” he said.

He explained that targeted investments in grassroots development are already producing results, with a growing number of young talents being identified and nurtured across multiple disciplines.

“We are deliberately building from the grassroots. A large percentage of our athletes today are homegrown, which speaks to the sustainability of our development model,” Enabulele added.

The Commission, he noted, is also shifting away from an over-reliance on football to a broader multi-sport focus.

Edo State, he said, is now recording improved performances in athletics, combat sports, and other emerging areas.

“Our goal is to strengthen all sports. The results are beginning to show across different disciplines, and this is only the start,” he said.

Enabulele further pointed to ongoing improvements in sports infrastructure and athlete welfare as critical factors in sustaining performance and encouraging wider participation among young people.

“We are building a system that will endure. With the continued support of the governor, Edo is on course to becoming a dominant force in sports at both national and international levels,” he stated.

He expressed confidence that the current momentum would translate into greater achievements for Edo athletes, reaffirming the Commission’s commitment to excellence, discipline, and long-term development.