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DONE DEAL: Cristiano Ronaldo joins Al Nassr 'I'm thrilled'

Cristiano Ronaldo has joined Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr on a deal that runs until 2025.

The Portugal captain is a free agent after leaving Manchester United following a controversial interview in which he criticised the club.

Ronaldo will reportedly receive the biggest football salary in history at more than £177m per year.

The 37-year-old says he is "eager to experience a new football league in a different country".

Al Nassr - nine-time Saudi Pro League champions - described the signing as "history in the making".

The club said it would "inspire our league, nation and future generations, boys and girls to be the best version of themselves".

In the summer, Ronaldo turned down a £305m deal to join another Saudi team - Al Hilal - because he was happy at United.

Earlier in November, the striker spoke out in an interview with Piers Morgan for TalkTV in which he said he felt "betrayed" by United, did not respect manager Erik ten Hag and was being forced out of the club.

Ronaldo, who scored 145 goals in 346 appearances for United, left Juventus to rejoin the Old Trafford club in August 2021 - 11 years after he departed to join Real Madrid.

He had just over seven months remaining on his £500,000-a-week contract with United but his immediate exit was "mutually agreed".

Speaking after signing the deal, Ronaldo said: “I'm thrilled for new experience in a different league and a different country, the vision that Al Nassr has is very inspiring. I am very excited to join my teammates, to help the team to achieve more success."

The club also released a statement about their new marquee signing, it read: “History in the making. This is a signing that will not only inspire our club to achieve even greater success but inspire our league, our nation and future generations, boys and girls to be the best version of themselves. Welcome @Cristiano to your new home."


More:Asia v Europe: Why Ronaldo joining Al Nassr can shake football's foundations

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