Al Hilal sign’s up Brazilian striker Marcos Leonardo from Benfica
Brazilian striker Marcos Leonardo, 21, has signed a contract with Al Hilal from Portuguese team Benfica.
The young striker becomes one of the two foreign players permitted in Saudi football’s newly established under-21 international player division for the summer.
Al Hilal and Benfica had initially discussed a transfer fee of between €30 and €35 million. However, Benfica executives continued the talks and ultimately agreed to a €40 million fee to complete the move.
The signing is in line with Jorge Jesus, Al Hilal’s Portuguese coach, who is keen to acquire the young Brazilian player.
📸 “Marcos Leonardo” in Riyadh 💙#AlHilal pic.twitter.com/hcHktapH91
— AlHilal Saudi Club (@Alhilal_EN) September 4, 2024
Leonardo left Portugal after passing a medical inspection, and on Monday at the Four Seasons George V hotel in Paris, he inked a five-year contract with Al Hilal.
The agreement calls for a €5 million yearly salary, and it expires in the summer of 2029. Al Hilal’s Chairman of the Board, Fahd bin Nafel, oversaw the signing.
As the club has reached its quota of foreign players, Leonardo will be listed as one of the two U23 foreign players on the Al Hilal roster. The Brazilian will cover for Alexander Mitrovic.
At the beginning of the season, Marcos Leonardo, who cost €18 million to sign from Brazilian team Santos, joined Benfica. In 24 games, he scored eight goals and provided one assist.
To defend their Saudi League crown and fight for the AFC Asian Champions League, the giants of Riyadh are looking to restock their roster. In addition, they are preparing to compete in the Club World Cup in 2025.
Marcos Leonardo at Benfica
Marcos Leonardo moved to Portugal on January 5, 2024, and signed a five-and-a-half-year contract with Primeira Liga club Benfica for a reported transfer fee of €18 million. Santos is entitled to ten percent of any future transfer profits made by the Lisbon-based team. A €150 million release clause was imposed on him.