Saudi Pro League is the new destination for all footballers in 2023. Saudi Pro League has been making significant strides in the international player market, attracting attention and sparking discussions on various topics. Many of the best footballers move to Saudi so here is the list of top footballers to have moved to Saudi Arabia.
There are many questions have every football fan. Which players have signed for the Saudi Pro League? It is for money or something else? Why have top players left the European club? We have all the answers and a list of top footballers to have moved to Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Pro League announces new strategy, young talent, and secure international talent in the front of the country. Money has played a pivotal role, enabling the league to secure high-profile signings, including renowned players like Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, and Karim Benzema. Hakim Ziyech, Paul Pogba, Bernardo Silva, and Saul Niguez are some of the players who have been rumored to join clubs in the Saudi Pro League.
PSG soccer star Neymar to join Cristiano Ronaldo’s Saudi Pro League but different club Al-Hilal. Here’s a list of all the superstars that have followed the Portuguese footballers to Saudi Arabia this summer:
List of top footballers to have moved to Saudi Arabia
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All top players Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kante, Edouard Mendy, Roberto Firmino, Jordan Henderson, Riyad Mahrez, Fabinho Sadio Mane and Neymar have joined. The following players are among the List of top footballers to have moved to Saudi Arabia.
Cristiano Ronaldo | Al-Nassr
Ronaldo’s shock move to the Saudi Arabia club was a big game-changer for the club football world. He joined Al-Nassr from Manchester United on a record contract. One of the greatest players of all time Ronaldo plays as a forward for club Al Nassr. Ronaldo received the highest football salary in history, worth €200 million per year(salary of €90 million + signing-on bonus in the region of €100 million).
Deal Price: $190 Million / Per Yr
Karim Benzema | Al-Ittihad
one of the best strikers of all time Karim Benzema joined the club Al-Ittihad and announced the signing on a free transfer. He was a part of Real Madrid from 2009 to 2023, who were integral to four Champions League wins from 2014 to 2018.
Deal Price: Move Between €24.8M and €41.3M and free transfer Fee
Neymar Jr. | Al Hilal
Neymar set for Saudi move after Al Hilal agrees near-$100M transfer fee with PSG. The Brazilian star has an annual salary of about $100 million and a contract for the next 2 yr.
Deal Price: €100 million (£86.4 million)
N’Golo Kante | Al-Ittihad
Kante Considered one of the best midfielders of his generation. Kante agreed to sign club Al-Ittihad on 1 July 2023 upon the expiration of his Chelsea contract after 7 yr or 190 games. N’Golo Kante has agreed on a free transfer to join Al-Ittihad, on a contract believed to be worth around £86m a season.
Deal Price: Free
Roberto Firmino | Al Ahli
One of his best-known goal celebrations players Firmino joined club Al Ahli, signing a contract until 2026. He has done 1st competitive game hat-trick against Al-Hazem in the first match for the club. Firmino concluded his playing career for Liverpool as the highest-scoring Brazilian player with a total of 82 goals.
Deal Price: Free
Riyad Mahrez | Al-Ahli
Al-Ahli and captains of the Algeria national team join the club with a transfer fee of £30 million with Mahrez signing a contract to 2027. Mahrez signed for Manchester City in 2018, winning the Premier League, FA Cup, and EFL Cup in his first season, and transferred the club to Al-Ahli in 2023.
Deal Price: £30 million
Sadio Mane | Al Nassr
The Senegalese forward is widely regarded as one of the greatest African players of all time, Mane joined the club Al Nassr On 1 August 2023 leaving Bayern Munich.
Deal Price: N/a
Ruben Neves | Al-Hilal
Portuguese defensive midfielder joins club Al-Hilal set a new record sale for Wolves reported to be £47 million.
Deal Price: £47 million
Kalidou Koulibaly | Al-Hilal
Koulibaly signed for Premier League club Chelsea on a four-year contract with £33 million after completing he signed for club Al-Hilal for a fee of around £20 million.
Deal Price: £20 million
Sergej Milinkovic Savic | Al Hilal
The Serbian decided to join Al Hilal from Lazio for $44 million. He made over 300 appearances for Lazio and won the Coppa Italia once and the Supercoppa Italiana twice. He joined Al Hilal, where he played 300 games before transferring to Al Hilal on a three-year deal.
Deal Price: £40 million
Jordan Henderson | Al-Ettifaq
Henderson completed his move to Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq where he departed from Liverpool after 12 years.
Deal Price: £12 million
Allan Saint-Maximin | Al Ahli
French footballer who plays as a winger for club Al Ahli. He played 4 yr. (2019-2023) for Newcastle United on a six-year contract.
Deal Price: £12.5 million
Franck Kessie | Al Ahli
Kessie joined Saudi Pro League club Al Ahli in a €12.5m deal before the 3,000th goal scored by Barcelona at the Spotify Camp Nou in La Liga.
Deal Price: £12.5 million
Fabinho | Al-Ittihad
Brazilian professional footballer widely regarded as one of the best defensive midfielders in the world. Fabinho officially joined Al-Ittihad on a three-year deal lasting until 2026. It is one of a series of high-profile transfers to Al-Ittihad from Liverpool. He is on the list of footballers to have moved to Saudi Arabia to show talent.
Deal Price: £40 million
Seko Fofana | Al Nassr
Fofana joined Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr on a three-year deal but he signed a contract extension with the Lens club until 2025.
Deal Price: £25 million
Edouard Mendy | Al Ahli
Chelsea and Senegal star goalkeeper joins Al Ahli
Deal Price: $21 million
Marcelo Brozovic | Al-Nassr
Croatia defensive midfielder moves from Manchester United to join Al-Nassr.
Deal Price: €18m
Diogo Jota | Al-Ittihad
The Portuguese player moved from Celtic to join Al-Ittihad.
Deal Price: £25 million
Alex Telles | Al Hilal
Brazilian player joined Al Hilal from Zenit.
Deal Price: $66 million.
Moussa Dembele | Al Ettifaq
French forward joined Al Ettifaq from Lyon, on a four-year deal.
Deal Price: N/a.