Summerville says ‘feeling’ about project convinced him to join Al Hilal in €70m move

Crysencio Summerville says his instinct about Al Hilal’s sporting project convinced him to complete a big-money move to the Saudi giants from West Ham United.

Al Hilal confirmed on Friday they had signed the Dutch winger on a four-year contract, in a transfer worth more than €70m – one of the club’s most expensive deals in recent seasons.

Summerville, speaking in his first interview with Al Hilal’s media team, stressed that his decision was not driven by anything other than his belief in the club’s ambitions and his desire to win trophies with what he described as one of Asia’s biggest teams.

He made clear that from “day one” his targets were defined: helping Al Hilal reclaim the Saudi Pro League title, known as the Roshn Saudi League, and returning the club to the summit of Asian competition, while challenging for every piece of silverware on offer.

“My feeling led me here”
Summerville underlined that his emotions and sense of being valued played a decisive role when Al Hilal’s interest became concrete.

“انا سعيد للغاية بارتداء قميص الهلال، ورغبتي هي تحقيق جميع البطولات ومساعدة الفريق على استعادة الدوري واسيا في المقام الاول,” he said.

He went on to explain that knowing a club of Al Hilal’s size wanted him was enough to convince him to commit his future to the Riyadh side.

“عندما تعلم ان ناديا بحجم الهلال يهتم بك، فانك تشعر بالتقدير. احساسي هو من قادني نحو الهلال، واتمنى ان احقق كل شيء مع هذا الكيان العظيم,” he added.

Targeting league and Asian success
The 22-year-old, who operates primarily as a winger, said he views Al Hilal as a platform to compete for major honours immediately, highlighting domestic and continental trophies as his priority.

Summerville stated that he is aiming to play a central role in bringing back the Roshn Saudi League title and restoring Al Hilal to regular success in Asian competitions, with the club determined to battle on every front in the coming seasons.

Message to Al Hilal fans
The new signing also delivered a direct message to Al Hilal supporters, calling for their backing throughout the upcoming campaign and promising to give everything on the pitch to reward their loyalty.

He said his personal objective is to entertain the fans and drive the team forward with goals and assists on a consistent basis.

“هدفي هو اسعاد الجماهير بالتسجيل وصناعة الاهداف في كل مباراة، واتطلع لرويتهم دايما في المدرجات لانهم يمنحون الفريق دافعا كبيرا لتحقيق الانتصارات,” Summerville said.

Background to the move
Summerville joins Al Hilal from West Ham United, becoming the latest high-profile European-based player to move to the Saudi Pro League.

His arrival is part of an ongoing recruitment drive by Al Hilal as they look to reinforce a squad built to challenge for domestic dominance and Asian titles.

The size of the fee – in excess of €70m – underlines both Al Hilal’s determination to remain at the forefront of Saudi and Asian football and the level of expectation that will accompany the Dutchman’s performances over the next four seasons.