Nunez joins Al Hilal and scores on debut

The Uruguay striker moves to Saudi side Al Hilal for around £53m and finds the net in his first appearance.

Darwin Nunez leaves Liverpool for Al Hilal after 53m transfer scores on debut

Darwin Nunez has completed a permanent transfer from Liverpool to Al Hilal for about £53m, with both clubs confirming the deal. He then came off the bench to score in Al Hilal's 6-0 friendly win over FC Aarau as he settles into his new club. Liverpool said goodbye in a club statement, noting the striker’s 143 appearances and 40 goals during a three-year spell that yielded Premier League and Carabao Cup medals. Earlier in the summer, Nunez had signaled a desire to move, and Napoli had tabled a bid in June that Liverpool rebuffed, preferring a deal with a higher value and different payment terms. The transfer follows a season in which Nunez’s playing time at Anfield diminished, paving the way for a fresh start abroad.

The move underscores how wealth in football is reshaping career paths. Al Hilal’s blockbuster fee signals a willingness to pursue top talent aggressively, even when a player has just finished a high-profile spell in Europe. For Nunez, the switch is a chance to rebuild form and value in a league that is rapidly expanding its global reach. For the Premier League and European clubs, it adds to a broader pattern where high-pay incentives are drawing players away from traditional markets.

Highlights

The sport keeps evolving as financial muscle and sporting ambition collide on the world stage.