Darwin Nunez leaves Al-Hilal to join Al-Diriyah on loan

Al-Hilal have confirmed that Darwin Nunez will spend the rest of the season on loan at newly promoted Al-Diriyah, bringing an end to a lengthy period of negotiations over the Uruguay striker’s future before the close of the current summer transfer window.

Nunez joined Al-Hilal last summer but was unable to establish himself as a regular contributor during his time at the club. His failure to make the expected impact eventually saw him fall out of the plans of manager Simone Inzaghi.

The Saudi club announced the move in an official statement, confirming that its board had agreed to send Nunez to Al-Diriyah on a temporary basis. Al-Diriyah have recently secured promotion to the Roshn Saudi League and are continuing to strengthen their squad ahead of their campaign in the division.

The loan represents the conclusion of an extended effort to find a new destination for Nunez. Al-Hilal had been seeking a solution for the forward before the summer transfer deadline, following a season in which he struggled to convince the club’s coaching staff.

Al-Diriyah have been active in the transfer market and have added several notable names during the current window. Their recent recruitment has included French midfielder Enzo Millot from Al-Ahli, as well as experienced Senegal international Idrissa Gueye.

The club’s latest deal also gives Nunez an opportunity to revive his form away from Al-Hilal. However, the announcement does not indicate whether the loan includes an option or obligation for a permanent transfer.

Nunez had also been linked in recent days with a move to Turkish club Trabzonspor. That proposed switch would have reunited him with former Liverpool team-mate Mohamed Salah, although the Uruguayan will instead remain in Saudi Arabia and join Al-Diriyah.

His departure follows a difficult first season at Al-Hilal, where he failed to secure a settled place under Inzaghi. The manager’s decision to leave him outside the club’s plans increased the likelihood that Nunez would move on before the summer window closed.

For Al-Diriyah, the agreement provides an experienced attacking option as they prepare for life in the Roshn Saudi League. For Al-Hilal, it removes Nunez from the first-team picture after months of uncertainty surrounding his position at the club.

The move was finalised after the two sides reached agreement on a loan arrangement, with Al-Hilal formally confirming Nunez’s temporary transfer to the newly promoted team.