Nunez joins Al Hilal a new chapter begins

Liverpool confirms Darwin Nunez has completed a permanent transfer to Al-Hilal after three seasons at Anfield, where he made 143 appearances and scored 40 goals.

Darwin Nunez completes permanent transfer to Al-Hilal

Darwin Nunez has completed a permanent move to Al-Hilal, bringing his Liverpool chapter to a close after three seasons at Anfield. The Uruguayan forward arrived from Benfica in 2022 and leaves with 143 appearances and 40 goals, helping Klopp’s side lift the Community Shield and the Premier League and Carabao Cup trophies. He started with 15 goals in his first season and earned two Standard Chartered Player of the Month awards, then increased his output to 18 goals the following campaign, including standout moments late in critical matches. The 2024-25 season capped his Merseyside stint as Liverpool went on to win the league, and his stoppage-time finishes at Brentford in January are remembered as a highlight of that title run. Liverpool officials expressed gratitude for his contributions and wished him and his family well as he moves on.

The transfer shifts forward planning for both clubs. Al-Hilal add a proven scorer to bolster domestic and continental campaigns, while Liverpool faces a period of adjustment for the attack and potential reinvestment of transfer funds. The move illustrates a broader pattern of top players moving to financially strong clubs abroad, a trend that continues to shape the transfer market.

Liverpool now faces questions about how to replace a player who brought pace, direct running, and big-game moments to the frontline. The club will need to balance short-term needs with longer-term squad planning, weighing salary costs against potential signings and youth development. For Al-Hilal, the signing signals ambition and depth in a growing league that has become a magnet for established stars, with implications for regional competition and the global transfer market.

This transfer highlights a tipping point in football finance, where attracting top talent is increasingly tied to off-pitch incentives as much as on-pitch needs. Fans and critics will watch whether more clubs follow suit and how sponsors and broadcasters respond to ongoing shifts in where world-class players choose to play.

Highlights

The next chapter for both clubs will test how they translate big-name signings into sustained on-pitch success.