Cristiano Ronaldo.Photo: Al Nassr Football Club/Handout/Anadolu Agency via Getty
Cristiano Ronaldohas joined Saudi Arabian football clubAl-Nassr FC, the club announced Friday. The striker made headlines in November after his messy and controversial exit from his previous team, Manchester United.
Several outlets, includingCBS SportsandESPN, are reporting Ronaldo’s deal to be worth $75 million a year through 2025.
“I am excited to experience a new football league in a different country,” the 37-year-old player said inAl-Nassr’s statement about the deal.
“The vision of what Al Nassr are doing and developing in Saudi Arabia both in terms of men’s and women’s football is very inspiring,” Ronaldo continued. “We can see from Saudi Arabia’s recent performance at the World Cup that this is a country with big football ambitions and a lot of potential.”
The Portuguese strike concluded: “I am fortunate that I have won everything I set out to win in European football and feel now that this is the right moment to share my experience in Asia. I am looking forward to joining my new teammates and together with them help the Club to achieve success.”
The move is somewhat surprising and has some sports insiders suggesting the legendary player didn’t receive any compelling offers to stay in Europe.
In a second statement,Al-Nassr FCexpanded on Ronaldo joining the team.
Cristiano Ronaldo.OLI SCARFF/AFP/Getty
“History in the making,” it said. “This is a signing that will not only inspire our club to achieve even greater success but inspire our league, our nation and future generations, boys and girls to be the best version of themselves. Welcome Cristiano to your new home.”
Ronaldo’s surprising departure from Manchester United right before the World Cup in November shocked fans and sports insiders alike. After aninterview with Piers Morgan, where the striker opened up about the situation at his then-club and revealed his real thoughts about the coach and overall club.
It wasn’t long before the two mutually decided to part ways.
Manchester United added that “the club thanks him for his immense contribution across two spells at Old Trafford, scoring 145 goals in 346 appearances, and wishes him and his family well for the future.”
The club assured fans that “everyone” at the organization “remains focused on continuing the team’s progress under Erik ten Hag and working together to deliver success on the pitch.”
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
source: people.com
