Uruguayan forward Darwin Núñez has officially ended his stint with Premier League champions Liverpool, completing a high-profile transfer to Saudi Arabian giants Al Hilal. The 25-year-old has signed a three-year deal with the Riyadh-based club, marking another major move in the ongoing trend of European stars heading to the Saudi Pro League.
Núñez Joins Al Hilal in Landmark Transfer
Al Hilal confirmed the signing on Saturday, announcing that Núñez has already linked up with the squad during their pre-season training camp in Germany. While the clubs did not publicly disclose the transfer fee, British media reports suggest the Saudi side shelled out around €53 million for the former Liverpool striker.
“Al Hilal Club Company is pleased to announce the signing of Uruguayan striker Darwin Núñez from Liverpool FC on a three-year contract,” the club stated on their official website.
A Mixed Spell at Anfield
Núñez arrived at Liverpool in June 2022 following a big-money move from Portuguese side Benfica. Despite a promising start, he struggled to find consistent form in England. Over two seasons, he tallied 40 goals and 26 assists in 143 appearances across all competitions — decent numbers, but not quite matching the expectations set by his €75 million transfer fee.
Last season, Núñez fell down the pecking order under Jürgen Klopp, starting just eight Premier League games. He scored five goals during the league campaign, playing more of a supporting role as Liverpool clinched the domestic title.
Liverpool Reshaping Squad for New Era
Núñez’s departure is expected to ease the financial burden following Liverpool’s aggressive activity in the current transfer window. The club has spent nearly £300 million so far, including a record-breaking move for German playmaker Florian Wirtz, valued at up to £116 million. They also secured French forward Hugo Ekitike for a reported £69 million plus add-ons.
The significant turnover signals a new chapter at Anfield as Liverpool looks to stay competitive both domestically and in Europe.
Al Hilal Strengthen Title Ambitions Under Inzaghi
Under new head coach Simone Inzaghi, Al Hilal are aiming to reclaim dominance in the Saudi Pro League. They finished second last season but have strengthened significantly in the current window. In addition to Núñez, the club also landed AC Milan’s Theo Hernandez.
Al Hilal recently made headlines by defeating Manchester City at the Club World Cup, becoming the first Asian club to beat a Premier League side in an official competition. With Núñez now part of their attacking arsenal, the Blue Waves are targeting their 20th domestic league title — a record-extending milestone.
