RIYADH:
Saudi aspect Al Nassr confirmed the signing of Bayern Munich striker Sadio Mane on Tuesday because the Senegal star prepares to group up with five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo.
The twice African footballer of the yr is the most recent high-profile participant to affix the cash-rich Saudi league.
“I am actually completely happy to be a part of you guys, I am unable to wait to see you,” Mane stated in a video addressed to Al Nassr supporters on the membership’s social media accounts.
Each golf equipment introduced the switch involving the previous Liverpool star which German media estimated at round 30 million euros on a three-year cope with an annual wage for Mane of 40 million plus 10 million in results-based bonuses.
Earlier Tuesday Mane, 31, rued his departure with two years of his contract at Bayern remaining.
“Leaving Bayern hurts me. I might have wished for a distinct ending,” he informed Sky Germany.
These sentiments had been echoed by Bayern boss Thomas Tuchel when he spoke in Singapore on the eve of his aspect’s pleasant towards Liverpool.
“We had an extended, massive hug and we each agreed that we do not like what’s occurring now, however we expect it is for one of the best on this scenario,” stated the Bayern coach.
“Generally issues do not work out as all people needs it to work out. In individual I’ve at all times had an excellent relationship with him and this can keep.
“I can completely perceive that he feels harm and I additionally would not really feel completely happy if issues like this occurred.
“Clearly it is one thing that we did not convey into the total potential, which is my job and my duty, however on this explicit scenario, it was one of the best resolution to untie the knot.”
Mane strikes to the membership that instigated the primary coup of a raft of signings by Saudi golf equipment with the seize of Ronaldo on a four-year contract.
Mane received the Champions League and Premier League in six seasons with Liverpool and was a key a part of Jurgen Klopp’s devastating entrance three with Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino.
When Liverpool received their first English league title for 30 years within the pandemic-disrupted 2019-2020 season, Mane scored 18 objectives.
However in the summertime of 2022, Mane determined he needed a brand new problem – unconfirmed rumours stated he had bored with sharing the limelight with Egypt’s Salah at Anfield.
Bayern made an enormous play for Mane, promising to make him the point of interest of an assault which had simply misplaced the companies of Robert Lewandowski to Barcelona.
After a powerful begin to the season at Bayern, it quickly turn out to be clear that Mane was not clicking in Bavaria.
In a Bundesliga sport towards Werder Bremen in November, Mane suffered an damage to his fibula and his season was placed on maintain.
The damage pressured him to overlook the World Cup in Qatar on the finish of final yr in a crushing blow to Senegal’s probabilities.
Bayern CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen mirrored on Mane’s tough spell in Germany.
“It definitely wasn’t a straightforward yr for him, getting injured simply earlier than the World Cup and being unable to participate in it with Senegal,” he informed Bayern’s web site.
Dreesen added: “Due to his lengthy lay-off he additionally could not have the impression at FC Bayern that all of us and he himself had hoped for.
“That is why we got here to the joint determination that he’ll start a brand new chapter in his profession and make a brand new begin at a distinct membership.”
Whereas Mane returned to the Bayern group in 2023, his issues had been underlined when he grew to become concerned in a bodily altercation with teammate Leroy Sane following a Champions League defeat to Manchester Metropolis.
Bayern reportedly fined Mane round 350,000 euros ($385,000) and gave him a one-match suspension for his half within the incident.
He ended the season with an underwhelming 12 objectives in 38 video games throughout all competitions.
Apart from Ronaldo, Al Nassr have additionally signed this summer season Croatia midfielder Marcelo Brozovic, Brazil full-back Alex Telles and Ivory Coast midfielder Seko Fofana.
Karim Benzema, the reigning Ballon d’Or, and French 2018 World Cup winner N’Golo Kante joined Al-Ittihad in June, whereas Riyad Mahrez left Manchester Metropolis for Al-Ahli final week.
England worldwide Jordan Henderson additionally not too long ago moved from Liverpool to Al-Ettifaq, the place he will probably be coached by Reds legend and former teammate Steven Gerrard