Al Hilal add Arsenal winger Gabriel Martinelli to star-studded forward line

Al Hilal have completed the signing of Arsenal winger Gabriel Martinelli, making the Brazil international their third foreign recruit of the summer transfer window.

The Saudi club confirmed the move on its official website, announcing that Martinelli has signed a four-year contract which will run until 2030. The agreement was completed after the 24-year-old arrived in the Saudi capital Riyadh on Tuesday, with all terms of the transfer already settled.

Al Hilal did not disclose the financial details of the deal. However, previous media reports stated that the winger would join the club for a fee of more than 65m euros, including add-ons.

The club also thanked its owner, Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, and said he had covered the cost of the transfer, as he had done for the club’s previous foreign signings during this summer’s window.

Martinelli is due to join his new team-mates in training on Thursday as Al Hilal prepare for their Riyadh derby against Al-Shabab on Friday. The match will be played at SHG Arena in the Saudi capital.

His arrival completes an attacking trio recruited from the Premier League during the current transfer window. Al Hilal had already signed Dutch winger Crysencio Summerville from West Ham and England striker Ollie Watkins from Aston Villa.

The three new arrivals are expected to give Jorge Jesus’ side considerable attacking strength. Summerville and Watkins have already made an immediate impact for Al Hilal, with each player scoring in the club’s 3-0 victory over Al-Ahli in the classic encounter on Tuesday.

Martinelli joined Arsenal from Ituano in 2019 and became a regular part of the club’s attack, operating primarily from the left wing. His move to Al Hilal adds another high-profile Brazil international to the Saudi club’s squad and gives the side an additional option in the final third.

The official announcement was accompanied by a message from Al Hilal on social media: “Choose to be a الهلال in the sky of glory 💙”

Martinelli’s signing is the latest part of Al Hilal’s summer recruitment drive, with all three of their foreign additions arriving from the Premier League. The club’s plans have now brought together the pace and creativity of Summerville, the finishing ability of Watkins and the attacking quality of Martinelli.

With the Brazilian joining training on Thursday, he could quickly become part of preparations for Friday’s derby against Al-Shabab, although the club’s announcement did not confirm whether he would feature in the match.