MADRID, Aug 18 — Sevilla’s Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou has become the latest big name to quit Europe for the riches of Saudi Arabia, signing for Al-Hilal the two teams announced on Friday.
Bounou, who featured in this week’s Uefa Super Cup match against Manchester City, is the second big signing for Al-Hilal this week, following the transfer of Neymar from Paris Saint-Germain.
“FC Sevilla and Al-Hilal have reached an agreement for the transfer of goalkeeper Bounou to the Asian team,” said Sevilla in a statement, while Al-Hilal released a video on X (formerly Twitter) in which the player spoke in Arabic.
The value of the deal was not made public by either club, although the Spanish press put it at €20 million (RM101 million).
Bounou — or “Bono” as the name on his shirt reads — joined Seville from Girona four years ago and had been linked with a move this season to Real Madrid as cover for the injured Thibaut Courtois before they opted instead for Kepa Arrizabalaga.
The 32-year-old was also a key member of the Morocco team that reached the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Bounou and Neymar are the latest in a growing line of players who are leaving Europe for Saudi Arabia, including Sadio Mane, who has signed for Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr, Karim Benzema (Al-Ittihad) and Kalidou Koulibaly who will be their teammate at Al-Hilal. — AFP
