“I want to write new sporting history” Neymar Joins Al Hilal

• Neymar Jr has officially completed his move from Paris Saint-Germain to Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal
• At Al Hilal, he will play alongside Kalidou Koulibaly, Ruben Neves and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, who all joined this summer for big fees

Brazil forward Neymar Jr has officially completed his move from Paris Saint-Germain to Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal. It is understood that PSG will receive around 90 million euros ($98m) for the transfer. The amount is a record for the league which is backed by the oil-rich state in its spending spree this summer.

Neymar has signed a two-year deal with the club, who also wanted to sign Lionel Messi before the Argentine opted to join Inter Miami.

Neymar Jr has joined Al Hilal. Photo/ The Mirror.

Speaking after signing the contract, Neymar said he enjoyed special times in Europe and now wants to write a new sporting history.

“I’ve 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. I want to write new sporting history, and the Saudi Pro League has tremendous energy and quality players at the moment.” BBC Sports quotes Neymar Jr.

According to reports, Neymar will be earning around six times the amount he earned while playing for PSG, having signed a two-year deal. The Brazilian’s salary per year will be $100 million, which is estimated to be half of what Cristiano Ronaldo earns at Al Nassr.

Neymar’s departure from PSG comes at a time when the club is moving away from ‘Galacticos’ era, which involved making high profile signings and spending a lot on their salaries. The talented Brazilian joined PSG in the summer of 2017 for a a world record fee of 222 million euros ($242m). This was a few weeks before the Parisians acquired Kylian Mbappe from Monaco.

It was Neymar’s fee to PSG that triggered huge hike in transfer fees for players. Despite PSG spending a lot on the talented Brazilian, his arrival did not have the desired impact. He couldn’t help the French side win the UEFA Champions League titles.

Nevertheless, PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi spoke positively about Neymar after he secured transfer to Al Hilal.

Neymar joined PSG in 2017. Photo/ Sky Sports.

“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.” Nasser Al-Khelaifi said, as per BBC Sports.

Neymar has now joined the list of top players who have moved to the Saudi Pro League this summer transfer window. The number of players moving to Saudi Arabia is expected to increase before the window closes.

At Al Hilal, he will play alongside Kalidou Koulibaly, Ruben Neves and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic.