Cristiano Ronaldo pictured with Al Nassr shirt for first time as Saudis SIGN ex-Man Utd star on free transfer
CRISTIANO RONALDO has been pictured in an Al Nassr shirt for the first time since signing for the Saudi Arabian club.
It was confirmed on Friday that the 37-year-old had agreed a lucrative £173million-a-year deal with the Middle Eastern outfit.
And now Al Nassr have officially confirmed the transfer with snaps of Ronaldo in their shirt.
Alongside the images, they tweeted: “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 @AlNassrFC.”
Speaking about signing for the club, 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 team-mates, to help the team to achieve more success.”
He is understood to have undergone the first part of his medical and will complete the second stage in Riyadh in the coming days.
Ronaldo had been heavily linked with a move to Saudi ever since his Man Utd deal was terminated following an explosive interview with Piers Morgan.
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He initially distanced himself from a move to the Middle East as he wanted play in the Champions League this season.
And during his interview with Morgan, Ronaldo confirmed he had previously turned down £3m per week to play in Saudi.
When pressed on how difficult it was to turn down a figure that high, he said: “It’s hard. It’s hard. But in the same way, I thought that I was very happy here; that I [am] still capable to score goals and make people happy.
“I still believe that I can score many many goals and help the team because I still believe that I’m still good and capable to help national team – even Manchester United.
“But if you don’t feel around you that the energy’s on your side, it’s difficult. Of course, the criticism is gonna exists all the time. Ah he’s 37, he’s not the same.
“But I want to see if some guy of my age maintain the level that I show. You’re not gonna teach me that. Nobody is gonna teach me that.”
However, following a challenging World Cup which saw Ronaldo dropped to the bench by Portugal for their shock exit to Morocco, he changed his mind.
Al Nassr, who have also been linked with a move for Ronaldo’s ex-Real Madrid team-mate Sergio Ramos, currently sit second in the Saudi Pro League table after seven wins from their opening 10 games.
And Ronaldo will be ready to hit the ground running having returned to training with former club Real Madrid to stay fit.