Al Hilal have completed the signing of midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, as the Saudi Arabian top-flight continues to add high-profile stars to its ranks.
The Serbia international, 28, joins the Saudi Pro League club from Lazio on a three-year deal, with the transfer fee rumoured to be $44 million. Milinkovic-Savic had one year remaining on his contract with the Serie A side.
At Hilal, Milinkovic-Savic will team up with fellow new signings Kalidou Koulibaly and Ruben Neves, who both moved to the Riyadh club earlier this month.
Record 18-time Saudi champions, Hilal have also made a move for Milinkovic-Savic's international teammate Aleksander Mitrovic, although Fulham are thought to have turned down a $33m bid for the striker. Hilal are expected to return with another proposal as they focus on acquiring a top-level frontman to bolster the squad.
Last week, Lazio team owner Claudio Lotito told online outlet Tag24 that Milinkovic-Savic had pleaded for "a change of scenery" after eight years in Rome. Lotito said Lazio had received an offer which was "a little bit less than €50 million".
"When someone leaves to go to Saudi Arabia their motivation is money, but you need to ask him why he wants to leave," Lotito said. "I tried my best to keep him here but when he asks to go for his own personal reasons what can I do? We were willing to extend his deal and increase his salary.
"At the end of the day it's the player who decides what to do with his life. He phoned me begging me to let him go."
Milinkovic-Savic scored 69 goals in 341 appearances for Lazio since his 2015 move, helping the team capture the 2019 Italian Cup and two Italian Super Cups. As captain last season, he was integral to Lazio’s second-placed finish in the league.
The addition of Milinkovic-Savic represents another significant coup for the Saudi Pro League, with the kingdom embarking on an aggressive recruitment drive this summer.
Current Ballon d’Or holder Karim Benzema has joined champions Al Ittihad, closely followed to the Jeddah club by former Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante and Diogo Jota from Celtic.
Meanwhile, Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr have added to the squad Croatia international Marcelo Brozovic from Inter Milan, and Al Ahli have signed Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy and ex-Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino.
Alongside Hilal’s reappointment as manager of Jorge Jesus, Al Ettifaq have also installed Steven Gerrard as head coach, while Al Fateh last week confirmed Slaven Bilic as their new manager.
Top Saudi Pro League signings so far
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League last-16, second leg:
Real Madrid 1 (Asensio 70'), Ajax 4 (Ziyech 7', Neres 18', Tadic 62', Schone 72')
Ajax win 5-3 on aggregate
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
Who was Alfred Nobel?
The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.
- In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
- Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
- Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.
Ziina users can donate to relief efforts in Beirut
Ziina users will be able to use the app to help relief efforts in Beirut, which has been left reeling after an August blast caused an estimated $15 billion in damage and left thousands homeless. Ziina has partnered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to raise money for the Lebanese capital, co-founder Faisal Toukan says. “As of October 1, the UNHCR has the first certified badge on Ziina and is automatically part of user's top friends' list during this campaign. Users can now donate any amount to the Beirut relief with two clicks. The money raised will go towards rebuilding houses for the families that were impacted by the explosion.”
The Florida Project
Director: Sean Baker
Starring: Bria Vinaite, Brooklynn Prince, Willem Dafoe
Four stars
MATCH INFO
Champions League quarter-final, first leg
Ajax v Juventus, Wednesday, 11pm (UAE)
Match on BeIN Sports
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
UAE%20set%20for%20Scotland%20series
%3Cp%3EThe%20UAE%20will%20host%20Scotland%20for%20a%20three-match%20T20I%20series%20at%20the%20Dubai%20International%20Stadium%20next%20month.%3Cbr%3EThe%20two%20sides%20will%20start%20their%20Cricket%20World%20Cup%20League%202%20campaigns%20with%20a%20tri-series%20also%20involving%20Canada%2C%20starting%20on%20January%2029.%3Cbr%3EThat%20series%20will%20be%20followed%20by%20a%20bilateral%20T20%20series%20on%20March%2011%2C%2013%20and%2014.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
The biog
Age: 32
Qualifications: Diploma in engineering from TSI Technical Institute, bachelor’s degree in accounting from Dubai’s Al Ghurair University, master’s degree in human resources from Abu Dhabi University, currently third years PHD in strategy of human resources.
Favourite mountain range: The Himalayas
Favourite experience: Two months trekking in Alaska
The specs
Engine: 4-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission: nine-speed
Power: 542bhp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: Dh848,000
On sale: now
