FootyChatter.com

By SPENCER MORGAN, SPORTS REPORTER Published: 05: 59 AEST, 11 August 2025 | Updated: 07: 00 AEST, 11 August 2025 20 View comments Darwin Nunez has bid farewell to Liverpool fans with an emotional message after scoring on his debut for his new club Al-Hilal. Mail Sport reported this week that the Premier League champions agreed a £53million deal to sell the Uruguay international, who made it clear to Liverpool officials earlier in the summer that he saw his future away from Anfield. The Reds released an official statement confirming Nunez's exit on Saturday and he has taken no time at all to settle into his new surroundings, coming off the bench to score in Sunday's 6-0 friendly win over FC Aarau. And Nunez took to social media after the game to say thank you to supporters of his former club.   He wrote: 'Thank you, Liverpool. Three years on, it's time to say goodbye. I'll take with me countless memories that will live with me forever.   'I leave with a full heart, thanks to the love of a crowd that never let me down and always had my back - through the highs and through the lows. What a journey ? pic. twitter. com/8x3EGSCOd L 'Liverpool will always be part of who I am. I'll miss you more than words can say. To all my staff and teammates - thank you, and all the very best for the future. '  The Uruguayan, who also posted a video montage of his time at Anfield, was named on the bench for his new side's friendly against FC Aarau on Sunday. Nunez was brought on at half-time with his side already holding a comfortable 3-0 lead. And it didn't take long for the striker to make an impact as he completed the 6-0 rout in the 87th minute. The 26-year-old ran on to a through ball down the right channel and fired past the keeper at his near post.   The striker made only eight starts in the Premier League in 2024-25 and just one this calendar year, as he fell towards the bottom of Arne Slot's pecking order in attack. Nunez had asked to leave Liverpool as far back as January, when he was again the subject of interest from Saudi Arabia, but they took the decision to keep him for the remainder of the campaign so he could play a part in the successful title pursuit. Liverpool had received an offer from Napoli in June for Nunez but it was immediately rebuffed, as the Italian champions proposed a fee of just over £45million that would be paid in instalments – which would not begin until the summer of 2026. Darwin Nuñez scores on his debut for Al-Hilal — really wish he could get his career back on track. Love the guy! ? pic. twitter. com/x2on N8uudu Nunez (R) beat the keeper at his near post to get off the mark for the Saudi Pro League side  The Reds' statement read: 'Liverpool FC can confirm Darwin Nunez has completed a permanent transfer to Al-Hilal, subject to international clearance. 'The Uruguayan's three-year spell with the Reds concludes after he finalised a switch to the Saudi Pro League side today. 'Nunez departs Anfield having made 143 appearances and scored 40 goals, collecting Premier League and Carabao Cup winner's medals along the way. 'The striker arrived at the club from Benfica in the summer of 2022 and scored on his competitive debut to help Jürgen Klopp's team lift the FA Community Shield with victory against Manchester City. 'His first season as a Liverpool player saw him get on the scoresheet 15 times from 42 outings in all competitions and named the club's Standard Chartered Player of the Month on two occasions. 'Nunez improved his haul of goals in the following campaign by producing 18 – two of those off the bench at Newcastle United to complete a remarkable late turnaround in the early weeks. The Uruguayan striker was all smiles after making the perfect start to life at his new club 'The 2024-25 term turned out to be his final one with the Reds, and he would complete his career on Merseyside by hoisting the Premier League trophy aloft. 'Nunez's pair of stoppage-time finishes to snatch victory away at Brentford in January was an undoubted vital moment and highlight of the historic season. 'Everybody at the club would like to thank Darwin for his contributions and wish him and his family all the best for the future. ' Liverpool splashed out £85m on Nunez to snap him up from Benfica in 2022 but he ultimately struggled to live up to the price tag. The frontman scored 40 goals in 143 appearances since landing in England.

Share what you think

The comments below have not been moderated.

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of Mail Online.

By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your Mail Online comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to Mail Online as usual.   Do you want to automatically post your Mail Online comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to Mail Online as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on Mail Online. To do this we will link your Mail Online account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook. You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook. Your details from Facebook will be used to provide you with tailored content, marketing and ads in line with our Privacy Policy. Published by Associated Newspapers Ltd