Summerville becomes one of Saudi Pro League’s biggest-ever signings with move to Al Hilal

Crysencio Summerville has entered Saudi Pro League history after sealing a big-money move to Al Hilal from West Ham United, becoming one of the most expensive players ever to join the Roshn Saudi League.

British reports value the transfer at around €76m, a fee that places the Dutch winger third on the all-time list of record signings in the Saudi Pro League era. The deal underlines Al Hilal’s continued strategy of targeting leading talents from European football during the current summer transfer window.

Neymar and Duran still lead record list

Brazil forward Neymar da Silva remains the most expensive arrival in league history following his switch to Al Hilal from Paris Saint-Germain in the summer of 2023 for €90m.

Colombia striker John Duran, who recently joined Al Nassr, sits second after “Al-Alami” paid a reported €77m for his services.

Summerville’s €76m fee places him immediately behind that pair and ahead of several other high-profile arrivals, reinforcing the financial weight Al Hilal continue to exert in the transfer market.

Retegui and Diaby among top deals

Summerville’s transfer pushes Italy striker Mateo Retegui down to fourth on the list. Retegui joined Al Qadsiah for €61m, making him one of the costliest centre-forwards to sign for a Saudi club.

Fifth place is shared by two €60m deals. France winger Moussa Diaby reached the Saudi Pro League when he completed a move to Al Ittihad, while Brazil forward Malcom joined Al Hilal for the same figure.

Hilal’s spending power on show

Having three players in the top bracket of the most expensive signings in Roshn Saudi League history – Neymar, Malcom and now Summerville – highlights the scale of Al Hilal’s recent investment.

Those outlays are part of a wider project designed to keep the Riyadh club competing for every domestic and continental title available. The club’s recruitment in recent windows has focused on elite-level attackers capable of making an immediate impact both in the league and in Asian competition.

Summerville is expected to be a central part of that plan. The 22-year-old, who operates mainly from the wing, is viewed within the club as one of the key weapons for new Italian head coach Simone Inzaghi in the upcoming season.

Al Hilal’s move for Summerville indicates that the club has no intention of slowing its spending, as it continues to reshape its squad around high-profile international signings while maintaining its push for dominance at home and abroad.