Al Hilal release defender Ali Al-Bulaihi by mutual consent

Al Hilal have ended their contract with defender Ali Al-Bulaihi by mutual consent, allowing the 36-year-old to join another club as a free agent.

The Saudi Pro League club said Prince Alwaleed bin Talal had covered the financial settlement required to conclude the player’s contract.

In a statement published on the club’s website, Al Hilal said: “The board of directors of Al Hilal Club Company, chaired by Prince Nawaf bin Saad, values Prince Alwaleed bin Talal’s covering of the contractual settlement with Al-Bulaihi, through which the club company ended its contractual relationship with the player by mutual consent.”

The statement added: “The board of directors extends its sincere thanks and appreciation to His Highness for his support of Al Hilal and his historic initiatives, which reflect his continued commitment to supporting the club and strengthening its progress, contributing to the achievement of its objectives and the continuation of its competitive presence at all levels.”

The agreement brings an end to Al-Bulaihi’s eight-and-a-half-year association with Al Hilal. His contract had been due to expire next summer.

Al-Bulaihi can now move to another club without a transfer fee after becoming a free agent. The defender’s departure follows Al Hilal’s announcement that they had also terminated the contract of French forward Karim Benzema by mutual consent.

Al-Bulaihi was left out of the squad by Al Hilal manager Simone Inzaghi during the preparation period for the new season. No further details were provided about the decision to exclude him from the pre-season preparations.

Since joining Al Hilal, Al-Bulaihi made 263 appearances for the club, scoring 23 goals and providing three assists. He was loaned to Al Shabab in January.

During his time at Al Hilal, Al-Bulaihi helped the club win five league titles, three King’s Cup trophies and three Saudi Super Cup honours. He also played a part in two AFC Champions League triumphs.

His departure marks the latest change to an Al Hilal squad that has competed for domestic and continental honours during his spell at the club. The agreement with Al-Bulaihi means his association with the Saudi side ends before the original expiry date of his contract, while the settlement funded by Prince Alwaleed bin Talal allows both parties to complete the separation without a transfer fee.

Al Hilal’s board thanked Prince Alwaleed bin Talal for what it described as his long-standing support and historic initiatives on behalf of the club. The club said that support had helped strengthen its sporting ambitions and maintain its competitiveness across different competitions.

Al-Bulaihi is therefore free to consider offers from any club ahead of the next stage of his career.