Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal confirmed Darwin Nunes’ arrival from Liverpool and signed a three-year contract with his new club.
Uruguay International, who joined the Reds for £64 million from Benfica in the summer of 2022, became the second big name to join the Record 19-time Saudi Arabia League champions ahead of the new season after left-back Theo Hernandez switched from AC Milan.
Nunes will be managed by former intercoach Simone Inzagi, who joined Alhiral in June before reaching the quarterfinals of the Club World Cup.
The charismatic forward has registered 40 goals in 143 appearances over three seasons at Anfield, winning the Premier League title, the EFL Cup and Community Shield.
However, despite his contributions to Liverpool’s 20th top flight title victory and recording five goals and two assists, Nunez lost influence last season and was already targeted for transfer speculation in January.
The 26-year-old previously scored 11 goals, assisting eight in the Premier League in 2023-24, and talliing nine goals and three assists in his debut season in 2022-23.
Nunes’ shot conversion rate over the three seasons he spent at Anfield posted just 11.06% in the Premier League, with the striker posting just 11.06%.
He also lost 55 of his 72 big chances on the top flight in English, falling below the underlying expected target (XG) figures in all three campaigns at Merseyside.
Welcome, Darwin Nunes pic.twitter.com/zm6dze7d8x
-Alhilal Saudi Club (@alhilal_en) August 9, 2025
During Nunez’s time in the Premier League, only Dominique Calvert Trewin (12 goals from 25.65 xg) fell below XG’s figures by a larger margin than Nunez (25 goals, 33.52 xg).
The forward was also attracting attention from Italy. Liverpool refused an offer from Serie A champion Napoli in front of the window.
Liverpool, who is likely to immerse themselves in the transfer market in search of new offensive options, is engaged in the well-known pursuit of Newcastle’s Alexander Isaac, but a report on Saturday suggested that the Magpies were not allowed to depart for Sweden.
The Reds confirmed that Nunes’ move is subject to international clearance and concluded their lengthy statement by saying, “Everyone at the club would appreciate Darwin’s contribution and hope that he and his family are the best for the future.”