Neymar to earn £275m by becoming the latest Saudi Pro League winner

Neymar's departure from PSG marks «the official end of the Galacticos era in Paris». Credit: Getty Images/Bertrand Guay

Neymar has been unveiled as the last major player in the Saudi Pro League after Paris Saint-Germain agreed a final fee of £77m plus allowances with Al Hilal.

«I agree here in Saudi Arabia, my name is Al HILALI,» said the 31-year-old, who is believed to be worth around £275m over a two-year deal.

Neymar's representatives were thought to have reacted immediately to the massive cash offer from the same club, which was turned down by Kylian Mbappé last month.

Although Mbappe has returned to first-team training in Paris, Neymar has been made public. as an Al Hilal player after undergoing a medical on Monday.

«I'm here in Saudi Arabia, I'm HILALI 💙»@neymarjr # AlHilal
pic.twitter.com/q7VUhf0FnQ

— AlHilal Saudi Club (@Alhilal_EN) 15 August 2023

When Lionel Messi joined Inter Miami earlier this summer, sources close to the talks said the Neymar deal marked «the official end of the Galacticos era in Paris.»

Incoming fee and departure of the player, earning £21m a year would significantly ease the club's financial fair play concerns. PSG chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi has given the green light to major reforms that will encourage Luis Enrique to sign younger talent.

Neymar had a contract with PSG until 2027, but is now the most famous player in the Saudi Pro League along with Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema.

Neymar is believed to have rejected the possibility of a loan move to his former club «Barcelona». At Al Hilal, the Brazilian joins a host of attractive players including Wolves' Ruben Neves and Chelsea's Kalida Koulibaly.

The team were defeated 2-1 by Al Nasr Ronaldo to the Arab Club Champions Cup final on Saturday.

Spending in the Saudi Pro League soared this summer after Al-Hilal became one of the top four clubs in the kingdom to be completely taken over by the State Investment Fund as part of plans for their eventual privatization.

As part of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 strategy, the goal is to increase the league's revenue to £400m a year by 2030. The transformation of the national league into an international force is only part of a larger and much larger attempt by the country to once again host the World Cup in the Middle East.

Neymar, who will wear the club's number 10 shirt, signed his contract at the Four Seasons George V Hotel in Paris with Al-Hilal chairman Fahad Bean. Saad bin Nafel.

“I have achieved a lot in Europe and have enjoyed special times, but I have always wanted to be a global player and challenge myself with new challenges and opportunities in new places,” he said in a press release from the club. “I want to write a new sports story and the Saudi Pro League has a lot of energy and quality players right now. I have heard a lot and learned that I follow a long list of Brazilian players who have played in Saudi Arabia over the years, so I think this is the place to be.”

Bin Saad Bin Nafel said of his new signing: “Neymar Jr is a global icon who brings joy and pleasure to all fans wherever he plays. The spotlight is always on him and he always responds to it. We are delighted that he has joined Al Hilal, the most successful club in all of Asia.»