Stars who moved to Saudi before rush – from Barcelona ace to Man City striker

  • Bookmark

    • Saudi Arabia are becoming a force to be reckoned with in football, whether you like it or not.

    The Gulf State welcomed Cristiano Ronaldo in January after his unceremonious exit from Manchester United and the signing of the five-time Ballon d’Or winner has proved not to be a one off.

    After their takeover of Newcastle United 18 months ago, the Saudi Public Investment Fund has taken control of Al-Ittihad, Al-Nassr, Al-Hilal and Al-Ahli and have wasted no time in attracting some of Europe’s biggest names.

    Saudi Pro League champions Al-Ittihad have added Celtic winger Jota for £25millon as well as welcoming Real Madrid legend Karim Benzema and Chelsea’s N’Golo Kante.

    Whilst Al-Hilal are the biggest spenders of the window so far after signing Ruben Neves from Wolves for £47million and ex-Manchester United target Sergei Milinkovic-Savic for £34million.

    Amid the influx of players, Daily Star Sport takes a look at eight people who arrived before the money rush.

    1. Ever Banega – Al Shabab

      Banega played for Valencia, Inter Milan and Sevilla in Europe before heading to Saudi in 2020 to join Al Shabab. The 65-time Argentina international won three Europa Leagues whilst at Sevilla and the Copa del Rey at the Mestalla.

      (Image: Getty Images)1 of 11

      • Share
      • Comments

    2. Felipe Caicedo – Abha

      A name that Premier League fans may remember as the Ecuador striker became one of Manchester City’s first signings of the Sheikh Mansour era. However, he’s more fondly remembered for his time at Lazio before joining Abha in 2022.

      (Image: AFP via Getty Images)2 of 11

      • Share
      • Comments

    3. David Ospina – Al-Nassr

      The two-time FA Cup winner with Arsenal is now enjoying the twilight of his career playing with Ronaldo at Al-Nassr at 34. Ospina moved to the Middle East in 2022 despite being Napoli’s first-choice keeper during the 2021/22 season.

      (Image: Fernando Vergara/AP/REX/Shutterstock)3 of 11

      • Share
      • Comments

    4. Andre Carrillo – Al-Hilal

      Another name that will leave Premier League fans scratching their heads is Carrillo, who played on loan for Watford during the 2017/18 season. After the Hornets decided not to take up his buy option he moved to Al Hilal in 2019.

      (Image: AFP via Getty Images)4 of 11

      • Share
      • Comments

    5. Ezgjan Alioksi – Al-Ahli

      The Elland Road cult hero moved to Al-Ahli at the end of his Leeds United contract in 2021. He still remains at the club despite spending last season on loan at Fenerbahce and winning the Turkish Cup.

      (Image: Getty Images)5 of 11

      • Share
      • Comments

    1. Matheus Pereira – Al-Hilal

      Pereira’s move to Al-Hilal is one that caught the Premier League off guard after he moved to Saudi amid interest from Arsenal after scoring 11 goals for West Brom in the 2020/21 season. But the Brazilian had the last laugh after winning the AFC Champions League in 2021.

      (Image: Getty Images)6 of 11

      • Share
      • Comments

    2. Cristian Tello – Al Fateh

      The former Barcelona wonderkid had the world at his feet when he moved to Camp Nou but after mixed loan spells at Porto and Fiorentina, Tello joined Real Betis before a short stint at Los Angeles FC. He joined Al Fateh at the age of 31 during the 2022/23 season.

      (Image: Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)7 of 11

      • Share
      • Comments

    3. Sulley Muntari – Al-Ittihad

      Muntari was a key part of Portsmouth’s FA Cup winning team before moving to Inter Milan in 2008. The Ghanian played for Sunderland and AC Milan before joining Al-Ittihad in 2015 for just one season.

      (Image: AFP via Getty Images)8 of 11

      • Share
      • Comments

    1. Sebastian Giovinco – Al-Hilal

      The electric Italian forward made a shock move to the MLS in 2015 when he joined Toronto FC from Juventus after making 23 caps for Italy. Giovinco later played for Al-Hilal between 2019 and 2021 before retiring at Sampdoria.

      (Image: AFP via Getty Images)9 of 11

      • Share
      • Comments

    2. Bafetimbi Gomis – Al-Hilal

      Another forgotten Premier League striker on the list is Gomis who played for Swansea City between 2014 and 2017. The 12-time France international played four years at Al-Hilal and won two league titles and two AFC Champions Leagues before joining Galatasaray in 2022.

      (Image: AFP via Getty Images)10 of 11

      • Share
      • Comments

    3. Roberto Donadoni – Al-Ittihad

      The legendary Italian ended his career at Al-Ittihad in 2000, becoming the first household name to move to Saudi after winning six Serie A titles and three European Cups and Champions Leagues with AC Milan in the 1980s and 90s.

      (Image: AFP via Getty Images)11 of 11

      • Share
      • Comments
    • Saudi Arabia
    • Transfer news
    • Premier League
    • Manchester City FC
    • Barcelona FC
    • Arsenal FC
    • Watford FC
    • Leeds United FC
    • West Bromwich Albion FC
    • Championship
    • Portsmouth FC
    • Swansea City FC

    Source: Read Full Article