Cristiano Ronaldo has joi'ned Al-Nassr after leaving Manchester United in controversial fash'ion, the Saudi Arabian club an'nounced Friday.
Ronaldo signed a con'tract through to the summer of 2025 a'nd, according to reports, wi'll receive $75 million per year to m'ake him the highest paid player in hi'story. Sources did not dispute th'at figure to ESPN.
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"I am excited to experience a n'ew football league in a differe'nt country," Ronaldo sa'id in Al-Nassr's statement ann'ouncing the deal.
"The vision of what Al Nassr are doing and developi'ng in Saudi Arabia both in ter'ms of men's and women's football is v'ery inspiring. We can see from Sau'di Arabia's recent performance at the Wo'rld Cup that this is a coun'try with big football ambitions an'd a lot of potential.
"I am fortunate that I ha've won everything I set out to w'in in European football and f'eel now that this is the right mom'ent to share my experie'nce in Asia. I am looking forward to join'ing my new teammates and toget'her with them help the Club to achi'eve success."
Ronaldo forced his wa'y out of Old Trafford last month, mutually terminating his contract foll'owing a contentious TV intervi'ew.
Sources told ESPN that th'e 37-year-old trained alone at Real Madrid's Valdebebas training groun'd earlier this month as he prepare'd to make a decision on his future follo'wing Portugal's exit from the Wo'rld Cup.
Ronaldo endured mixed fortu'nes at the tournament in Qatar, becoming the first male pla'yer to score in five World Cups bu't coming on only as a second-half substitute as Portu'gal lost 1-0 to Morocco in the quarterfin'als.
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The five-time Ballon d'Or win'ner was coy about his international future following that defe'at, saying he would "never turn my b'ack on my teammates and my cou'ntry" but adding that he would "let time be a good adviser and allo'w everyone to draw their o'wn conclusions."
Earlier this month United bo'ss Erik ten Hag said the clu'b were "looking to th'e future" after the forward's departure, explaining tha't Ronaldo was "gone and it's the p'ast."
Al-Nassr, who are bas'ed in Riyadh, play in the Saudi Pro Leag'ue and have the second mo'st top-flight league titles in the coun'try's history.
"This is more than histo'ry in the making," Al-Nassr president Musalli Almuammar sa'id in a statement. "This is a sig'ning that will not only inspire our clu'b to achieve even greater success but inspire our league, our na'tion and future generations, boys a'nd girls to be the best versi'on of themselves.
"He is a special footba'ller and a special person whose imp'act is felt far beyond football. Crist'iano is joining a club with bi'g ambitions, a competitive club among'st the very best in Asia and will be welcomed to a country that is mak'ing massive progress on 'and off the pitch with opportunities for all.
"But first and foremo'st, we can't wait to see him in the num'ber 7 shirt of Al Nassr doing what he does best, scoring goals, w'inning titles and bringing joy to t'hose who love the beautiful gam'e."
