Wolves’ captaincy was handed over to Ruben Neves this season following Conor Coady’s loan move to Everton.
In a historic transfer for the club, Wolves have sold their captain, Ruben Neves, to Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal for a staggering £47m. The Portuguese midfielder, aged 26, had one year remaining on his contract and departs after a successful six-season stint at Molineux.
Neves joins the growing list of high-profile players departing European clubs for the Saudi Pro League. Karim Benzema recently left Real Madrid to join Al-Ittihad, following his former teammate Cristiano Ronaldo’s move to Al-Nassr in January. Furthermore, N’Golo Kante, the midfielder from Chelsea, reached an agreement to join Benzema at Al-Ittihad earlier this week. Meanwhile, Al-Hilal has set its sights on acquiring Bernardo Silva, the Portuguese midfielder from Manchester City.
Amid interest from Barcelona, Neves expressed his ambition at the end of last season. However, with La Liga champions unable to present an acceptable offer, he chose to pursue his career in Saudi Arabia.
The fee paid by Al-Hilal surpasses the previous club record of £41m received by Wolves when Diogo Jota transferred to Liverpool in 2020. Additionally, it marks the highest transfer fee ever paid by a Saudi Pro League side, eclipsing the reported £15.4m deal that saw Matheus Pereira move from West Brom to Al-Hilal in 2021.
Neves penned an open letter to Wolves’ supporters, describing his time at Molineux as an “unbelievable journey.” He expressed his pride in becoming the team captain for the final year and highlighted the indescribable team spirit within the dressing room. Neves also expressed gratitude for the support his family received during their time in Wolverhampton.
During his tenure at the West Midlands club, Neves made 253 appearances, scoring 30 goals since his arrival from Porto in 2017. Wolves’ sporting director, Matt Hobbs, lauded Neves as one of the club’s all-time great players, praising his leadership qualities, humility, and exceptional talent. Hobbs expressed gratitude for Neves’ contributions to the club and extended well wishes to him and his family for their future endeavors.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about record-breaking transfer
Who has Ruben Neves joined in a record-breaking transfer?
Ruben Neves has joined Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal in a record-breaking transfer deal.
How much was Ruben Neves sold for?
Ruben Neves was sold for a club record fee of £47 million.
How long did Ruben Neves play for Wolves?
Ruben Neves played for Wolves for six seasons before his departure.
Are there other European players moving to the Saudi Pro League?
Yes, there is a trend of European players moving to the Saudi Pro League, with notable transfers including Karim Benzema, Cristiano Ronaldo, N’Golo Kante, and Bernardo Silva.
What was the previous club record transfer fee for Wolves?
The previous club record transfer fee for Wolves was £41 million, received when Diogo Jota moved to Liverpool in 2020.
How many appearances and goals did Ruben Neves make for Wolves?
Ruben Neves made 253 appearances and scored 30 goals during his time at Wolves.
How did Ruben Neves describe his time at Wolves?
Ruben Neves described his time at Wolves as “an unbelievable journey” and expressed pride in becoming the team captain for the final year.
More about record-breaking transfer
- Ruben Neves joins Al-Hilal – BBC Sport
- Karim Benzema moves to Al-Ittihad – ESPN
- N’Golo Kante agrees to join Al-Ittihad – Sky Sports
- Bernardo Silva targeted by Al-Hilal – Goal.com
- Wolves’ official statement on Ruben Neves’ departure – Wolves FC official website
