Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal has made a significant addition to its ranks by signing Morocco’s goalkeeper Yassine Bounou from Spanish side Sevilla. The deal, which marks a crucial move for Al-Hilal, was announced on Thursday, with Bounou signing a three-year contract.
In a statement released on messaging platform X (formerly known as Twitter), Al-Hilal declared, “The Atlantic lion is our goalie,” signifying the club’s confidence in their new acquisition.
While the exact terms of the agreement were not officially disclosed, Spanish media reported that Sevilla will receive a transfer fee of 21 million euros ($22.8 million) for the Moroccan goalkeeper.
Al-Hilal emphasized the significance of the deal by highlighting its sponsorship under the honorary presidency of HRH Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal.
Yassine Bounou, commonly referred to as Bono, played a pivotal role as Sevilla’s first-choice goalkeeper, contributing to the team’s triumph in two Europa League championships. Additionally, his talents extended to the international stage, where he aided Morocco in reaching the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup held in Qatar.
Notably, Bounou garnered attention from Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, reportedly as a temporary stand-in for injured goalkeepers Thibaut Courtois and Manuel Neuer.
Al-Hilal, recognized as the most successful club in Saudi Arabia and Asia, boasts an impressive collection of 66 trophies, including 18 domestic league titles and four Asian Champions League crowns.
This move follows Al-Hilal’s recent signing of Brazilian striker Neymar from Paris St Germain, highlighting the club’s commitment to reinforcing their roster. In addition, the club has secured the services of notable figures such as Portuguese coach Jorge Jesus, Ruben Neves, Sergei Milinkovic-Savic, Kalidou Koulibaly, and Malcom.
With an exciting array of new signings, Al-Hilal is poised to further enhance its stature in the Saudi Pro League and beyond. The club is set to face Al-Feiha in the upcoming round of the Saudi Pro League on Saturday.
