Darwin Nunez has already got off the mark for Al-Hilal – just 24 hours after his move to the Saudi Pro League side was officially confirmed.
Mail Sport reported this week that the Premier League champions agreed a £53million deal to sell the Uruguay international, who made it clear to Liverpool officials earlier in the summer that he saw his future away from Anfield.
The Reds released an official statement confirming Nunez’s exit on Saturday and he has taken no time at all to settle into his new surroundings.
The Uruguayan was named on the bench for his new side’s friendly against FC Aarau on Sunday.
Nunez was brought on at half-time with his side already holding a comfortable 3-0 lead.
And it didn’t take long for the striker to make an impact as he completed the 6-0 rout in the 87th minute.
The 26-year-old ran on to a through ball down the right channel and fired past the keeper at his near post.
The striker made only eight starts in the Premier League in 2024-25 and just one this calendar year, as he fell towards the bottom of Arne Slot’s pecking order in attack.
Nunez had asked to leave Liverpool as far back as January, when he was again the subject of interest from Saudi Arabia, but they took the decision to keep him for the remainder of the campaign so he could play a part in the successful title pursuit.
Liverpool had received an offer from Napoli in June for Nunez but it was immediately rebuffed, as the Italian champions proposed a fee of just over £45million that would be paid in instalments – which would not begin until the summer of 2026.
The Reds’ statement read: ‘Liverpool FC can confirm Darwin Nunez has completed a permanent transfer to Al-Hilal, subject to international clearance.
‘The Uruguayan’s three-year spell with the Reds concludes after he finalised a switch to the Saudi Pro League side today.
‘Nunez departs Anfield having made 143 appearances and scored 40 goals, collecting Premier League and Carabao Cup winner’s medals along the way.
The Uruguayan striker was all smiles after making the perfect start to life at his new club
‘The striker arrived at the club from Benfica in the summer of 2022 and scored on his competitive debut to help Jürgen Klopp’s team lift the FA Community Shield with victory against Manchester City.
‘His first season as a Liverpool player saw him get on the scoresheet 15 times from 42 outings in all competitions and named the club’s Standard Chartered Player of the Month on two occasions.
‘Nunez improved his haul of goals in the following campaign by producing 18 – two of those off the bench at Newcastle United to complete a remarkable late turnaround in the early weeks.
‘The 2024-25 term turned out to be his final one with the Reds, and he would complete his career on Merseyside by hoisting the Premier League trophy aloft.
‘Nunez’s pair of stoppage-time finishes to snatch victory away at Brentford in January was an undoubted vital moment and highlight of the historic season.
‘Everybody at the club would like to thank Darwin for his contributions and wish him and his family all the best for the future.’
Liverpool splashed out £85m on Nunez to snap him up from Benfica in 2022 but he ultimately struggled to live up to the price tag.
The frontman scored 40 goals in 143 appearances since landing in England.
