Saudi's Al-Hilal sign Serbian midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic from Lazio

By India Today Sports DeskAl-Hilal, a Saudi Arabian club, announced the signing of Serbian midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic from Lazio, his former team in Serie A.Al-Hilal took to Twitter to express their excitement, stating, “Coming from Italy’s eagles, Savic represents Asia’s Leader.”

Reports from Italian media indicate that Al-Hilal will pay approximately €40 million ($44.51 million) for the 28-year-old player.

Milinkovic-Savic has agreed to a three-year contract with the option of extending it to a fourth year. He will be joining forces with Senegalese defender Kalidou Koulibaly and Portuguese midfielder Ruben Neves, both of whom joined Al-Hilal in June.

Al-Hilal shared a video on social media featuring Milinkovic-Savic’s father looking at photos of his son, followed by the player himself wearing the club’s jersey and declaring, “I’m Hilal.”

Earlier this month, Al-Hilal renewed the contract of Portuguese coach Jorge Jesus for one year.

Since joining Lazio in 2015, Milinkovic-Savic played a pivotal role in their triumph in the Italian Cup during the 2018-19 season, as well as securing two Italian Super Cups. The Serbian midfielder has flourished into an exceptionally effective advanced playmaker. His skill set allows him to dominate the field from both penalty boxes, showcasing his physical prowess and astute tactical understanding.

Al-Hilal holds an impressive record as the most successful club in Saudi Arabia and Asia, with 18 Saudi league titles and four Asian Champions titles to their name.

In the previous season, Al-Hilal relinquished their league and Champions League crowns, finishing third in the Saudi Pro League.

“He has remarkable attributes and you’ll not find another player in the world with that power, muscular structure and height combined with technique and tactical awareness,” said Savic’s agent and ex-Chelsea man, Mateja Kezman, in an interview earlier last year.