Roberto Firmino has completed a move to a new Arab club, following a disappointing year with Saudi club Al Ahli Jeddah.
The Brazilian international was excluded from the club’s domestic roster last January, but he succeeded in making a historic impact with Al Ahli, leading them to victory in the AFC Champions League and receiving the tournament’s Player of the Year award.
Ultimately, Al Ahli had no intention of changing the situation and including Firmino in the domestic roster, so the final decision was made between the two parties. It appears that the former Liverpool star’s destination has been decided after reports spread of a possible return to Brazil.
Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper confirmed that Firmino had agreed with Qatari club Al Sadd on a two-year contract, and that Al Sadd officials had reached an agreement with their counterparts at Al Ahli to buy out the remaining year of the player’s contract for €7 million.
Firmino was one of the first major signings in the Saudi League in the summer of 2023, arriving at Al-Ahli on a free transfer at the end of his contract with Liverpool. Since then, he has made 65 appearances, scoring 21 goals and providing 17 assists.
The 33-year-old’s contract with Al-Ahli runs until the summer of 2026, and the club’s management has been open to the idea of selling him. It was reported that Brazilian clubs tried to bring Firmino back to his homeland, but he ultimately chose to remain in the Arab region and embark on an exciting new experience with Qatari giants Al-Sadd.
