Today, Sunday, the two clubs announced that Senegalese defender Kalidou Coulibaly had joined the Saudi club Al-Hilal from Chelsea in the English Premier League.
“We will continue to make history together,” Al-Hilal said on Twitter, along with a short video clip showing Coulibaly.
The four-time AFC Champions League winner said Coulibaly’s contract would run until 2026, without giving any financial details. And British media reported that the Saudi club will pay about 17 million pounds ($ 21.61 million) to include the center back.
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“I am here with those who make glory now and in the future,” said the African Cup of Nations winner.
Coulibaly, 32, scored twice in 32 games in all competitions for Chelsea after joining from Napoli last July.
He is the second player to move to Al Hilal from the English Premier League, after Portuguese midfielder Ruben Neves moved from Wolverhampton Wanderers on Friday.
The Saudi Professional League has become attractive to players in Europe since Cristiano Ronaldo moved to Al-Nassr in January.
League champions Al-Ittihad signed Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema earlier this month, while the club also confirmed the signing of former Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante.
Al-Hilal is the most crowned club in Saudi Arabia and Asia, having won 66 titles, and holds the record for league titles and Asian champions with 18 and four, respectively.
Strengthening his squad is a priority for the Riyadh-based club. They lost their league titles and the Asian champions.
And Spanish media reported that it is also keen to secure the services of Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva.
