RIYADH — It's official Cristiano Ronaldo will play in Saudi Arabia. Al-Nassr of Riyadh has signed his biggest deals this season with Portuguese football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Portuguese footballer will join on a two-year contract with the Saudi Arabian side.
"I'm excited to experience playing football in a new country and joining my teammates to help the team achieve new trophies," Ronaldo said after signing with Al-Nassr according to the official twitter account of the club.
Saudi Minister of Sports Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal welcomed the deal. He said: "One of the greatest of all time is confirmed to start his new journey in Saudi Arabia." He wished Ronaldo and his family a pleasant experience in Saudi Arabia.
"One of the greatest of all time is confirmed to start his new journey in Saudi Arabia @Cristiano welcome to your new home, welcome to @SPL. I wish you and your family a wonderful experience in the Kingdom," Prince Abdulaziz tweeted early Saturday.
The Saudi club said on Twitter: "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."
Al-Nassr described Ronaldo as "the greatest athlete in the world" while announcing the deal. The signing was held in Madrid.
Cristiano Ronaldo will wear the No. 7 shirt as he did with Manchester United.
The Portuguese star, 37, has been a free agent since his Manchester United contract was ripped up last month.
The club's president and sporting director were in Madrid on Friday, set to take Cristiano Ronaldo to Saudi Arabia and making it official on December 31, the Spanish newspaper Marca reported.
Talks between Cristiano Ronaldo and Al Nassr started in November during the World Cup.
The player will travel to Riyadh with the club's representatives to finalize the details that will allow him to join his new team as of January 1. — SG