Roberto Firmino was quickly surrounded by a crowd of jubilant fans after arriving in Saudi Arabia.
Firmino signed for Saudi side Al-Ahli on a free transfer following the end of his Liverpool contract, one of several high-profile players who have swapped Europe for the Middle East in recent months.
The 31-year-old left Liverpool after winning five major trophies in his eight years at the club, and was given an emotional send-off by the Anfield faithful.
He will be joined at Al-Ahli by former Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, who moved to the Saudi Professional League side last month.
It was Firmino who the fans seemed most taken with, though, as they surrounded the ever-smiling Brazilian as he got out of a car in Jeddah.
Many took pictures with their new signing, and one fan even appeared to kiss him on the head.
The excitement is understandable given Al-Ahli’s standing and the reputation Firmino arrives with.
He was a fan favourite at Anfield and scored 111 goals for the Reds, forming one of world football’s most potent front threes with Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane.
At 31, the striker may not quite be in his prime but he still managed 11 goals in 25 Premier League appearances in 2022/23
Al Ahli were a second tier side last season, but won promotion back to the Saudi Pro League which has been ornamented with a glut of high-profile stars since Cristiano Ronaldo’s record-breaking £175m-a-year move to Al-Nassr in January.
Real Madrid legend Karim Benzema and ex-Chelsea superstar N’Golo Kante joined Saudi champions Al-Ittihad on lucrative contracts last month, while former Premier League stars Ruben Neves and Kalidou Koulibaly have signed with Al-Hilal.
For Al-Ahli, the arrival of two high-profile Premier League players could be key on their return to the top flight.
Big signings always seemed likely for the club, though, as the Royals were one of four sides taken over by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund in June.
