Al-Hilal Saudi Club has made a major signing by securing the services of Senegalese center-back Kalidou Coulibaly from Chelsea. The club announced the signing on Sunday, revealing that Coulibaly has agreed to a three-season contract.
The Saudi Professional League has been attracting top stars in recent times, with the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, and N’Golo Kante joining the league. Ronaldo joined Al-Ittihad Jeddah in January, while Benzema and Kante made moves from Real Madrid and Chelsea respectively.
Coulibaly, who is also the captain of the Senegalese national team, played for Chelsea last season after joining the English club from Napoli in Italy. He played a crucial role in leading Senegal to victory in the 2022 African Cup of Nations held in Cameroon. Additionally, he helped the team reach the round of 16 in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Although the financial details of the deal were not disclosed, British press sources estimate the transfer fee to be around £20 million ($25.4 million). Coulibaly becomes the second player from the English Premier League to join Al-Hilal during this transfer period, following Portuguese midfielder Robin Neves, who joined the club from Wolverhampton Wanderers for £47 million.
There are also reports suggesting that more players could be joining the Saudi League, including Chelsea goalkeeper and Senegal national team member Edouard Mendy, who is rumored to be on the verge of signing for Al-Ahly Jeddah.
Al-Hilal Club is one of the Saudi sports clubs that will undergo a transformation as part of a privatization program announced by the Public Investment Fund (the Saudi Sovereign Fund) in June. Under this program, each club will be owned by the fund and operate as non-profit sports institutions.
The signing of Coulibaly further strengthens Al-Hilal’s squad and demonstrates the club’s ambition to compete at the highest level. With the addition of top talents from around the world, the Saudi Professional League continues to grow in stature and attract global attention.
(Prepared by: Adel Kuraim, contact zawya.arabic@lseg.com)
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How has the acquisition of Kalidou Coulibaly contributed to the enhanced reputation of the Saudi Professional League?
The Saudi club, Al-Hilal, has made a significant acquisition by securing the talents of Kalidou Coulibaly, a center-back from Chelsea. On Sunday, the club officially announced the signing, revealing that Coulibaly has committed to a three-season contract.
In recent times, the Saudi Professional League has gained attention for attracting some of the world’s top football stars. The likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, and N’Golo Kante have all made their way to the league, further enhancing its reputation.
This move by Al-Hilal Saudi Club to sign Kalidou Coulibaly from Chelsea is a bold and impressive decision. Coulibaly’s exceptional skills as a center-back will surely strengthen the team’s defense and elevate their performance. It’s a great addition to their squad and a signing that deserves applause.