Senegal captain Kalidou Koulibaly became the latest star name to head to Saudi Arabia on Sunday as he joined Al-Hilal from Chelsea, the Premier League club confirmed.
Al-Hilal confirm Kalidou Koulibaly has joined from Chelsea. Fee is just over €20m.🇸🇦🔵
🎥 via @Alhilal_EN
— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) June 25, 2023
Koulibaly joined the Blues just last year from Napoli for a reported £33 million ($42 million).
Official, confirmed. Kalidou Koulibaly joins Al Hilal on €23m fee to Chelsea — permanent transfer on three year deal. 🔵🇸🇦 #CFC #Saudi
He’s gonna play together with Rúben Neves. pic.twitter.com/WCufevVeIr
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 25, 2023
However, the 32-year-old struggled in the Premier League as Chelsea finished 12th — their lowest league finish since 1994.
“Kalidou Koulibaly has left Chelsea after completing a permanent transfer to Saudi Professional League side Al-Hilal,” Chelsea said in a statement.
“We would like to thank Kalidou for his contributions on and off the pitch during his time at Stamford Bridge and wish him well for the next stage of his career.”
Kalidou Koulibaly has completed a move to @Alhilal_FC. ✍️
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) June 25, 2023
Backed by the nation’s sovereign wealth fund, the Saudi Pro League is luring big names from the major European leagues with the promise of huge salaries.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s move to Al Nassr in January started the trend.
His former Real Madrid teammate Karim Benzema and French World Cup winner N’Golo Kante of Chelsea have recently joined Al-Ittihad.
Chelsea could be set to further profit from the Saudi investment.
Goalkeeper Edouard Mendy is reportedly close to joining Al Ahli, while Moroccan winger Hakim Ziyech is on the brink of a move to Al Nassr.
After Kalidou Koulibaly deal signed and completed with medical tests included, Edouard Mendy will be next to travel to Saudi for medicals on Monday. 🔵🇸🇦
Deal agreed with Al Ahli for Mendy; Ziyech will also join Al Nassr. pic.twitter.com/IScZEWmyvX
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 25, 2023
The English club need to sell players before the end of the month to try and comply with financial fair play regulations after spending over £500 million on new signings over the past 12 months.
© Agence France-Presse
Photo: CBSSportsGolazo / Twitter