Football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has joined Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr on a two-and-a-half-year contract, the Riyadh-based team has announced.
The Portuguese forward left Manchester United last month following an explosive television interview in which the 37-year-old said he felt betrayed by the club and did not respect their Dutch manager Erik ten Hag.
Al Nassr posted a picture on social media of Ronaldo on Saturday holding up the team’s jersey, with the club hailing the deal as “history in the making”.
“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,” the club said in a tweet.
“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,” Ronaldo said.
“I am looking forward to joining my new team mates and together with them help the Club to achieve success.”
Al Nassr said the five-time Ballon d’Or winner will join on a deal until 2025 but did not disclose any financial details. Ronaldo’s contract with the team has been estimated by media to be worth more than 200 million euros ($214.5m).