İSTANBUL
Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal announced the signing Thursday of Brazilian winger Gabriel Martinelli from Arsenal on a four-year contract.
The transfer fee was reported to be about £60 million ($81.4 million), which would make Martinelli the most expensive sale in Arsenal’s history.
Al-Hilal said a signing ceremony took place at Almajdiah Sport Hub in the Saudi capital.
Martinelli, 25, began his senior career with the Brazilian club, Ituano, before joining Arsenal in 2019.
He made 278 appearances for the north London club in all competitions, scoring 62 goals and providing 36 assists.
Martinelli helped Arsenal win the Premier League, FA Cup and Community Shield during his seven years with the club, and represented the Gunners in the UEFA Champions League.
The winger represented Brazil at the 2022 and 2026 FIFA World Cups.
He was also part of the Brazilian team that won gold at the Tokyo Olympics, which were held in 2021 after being postponed for a year because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Al-Hilal said Martinelli was expected to join the team’s first-team training Thursday ahead of their Saudi Pro League away match with Al-Shabab on Friday.
Martinelli’s departure, following Leandro Trossard’s move to Besiktas, leaves summer signing Christos Tzolis as Arsenal’s only natural senior left winger.
