Summerville credits ‘gut feeling’ after sealing big-money Al Hilal move from West Ham

Crysencio Summerville says a powerful instinct about Al Hilal’s sporting project convinced him to join the Saudi Pro League club in a deal worth more than €70m from West Ham United.

The Dutch winger was unveiled on Friday as Al Hilal’s latest high-profile signing, agreeing a four-year contract with the Riyadh giants in what is one of the most expensive transfers in the club’s recent history.

Summerville, who becomes the newest addition to a squad already chasing domestic and continental dominance, insisted his decision was driven by emotion and ambition rather than any other considerations.

He described Al Hilal as “one of the biggest clubs in Asia” and said his move was based on a strong belief in the team’s direction and his own hunger to win trophies.

“My feeling led me to Al Hilal” In his first interview with Al Hilal’s media channel, Summerville underlined that his targets were defined from the moment talks began.

He set out an immediate ambition to help the club reclaim the Saudi league crown and re-establish itself as a force in Asian competition, as well as fighting on every front for silverware.

“I am very happy to wear the Al Hilal shirt, and my desire is to win all the trophies and help the team to regain the league and Asia first and foremost,” he said.

Summerville emphasised that his “feeling” about Al Hilal had been decisive when weighing up his future, explaining that interest from a club of this size made a deep impression on him.

“When you know that a club as big as Al Hilal is interested in you, you feel valued. My feeling is what led me towards Al Hilal, and I hope to achieve everything with this great institution,” he added.

Focus on titles and attacking impact The 22-year-old, who operates primarily as a winger, stressed that his personal objectives are tied closely to the team’s collective success.

He said his contribution will be judged on goals and assists, and that he wants those numbers to translate directly into trophies.

“My goal is to make the fans happy by scoring and creating goals in every match,” he explained, outlining his ambition to deliver decisive moments in the final third throughout the season.

Summerville also echoed the club’s wider priorities, highlighting the push to reclaim the Saudi top-flight title, currently known as the Roshn Saudi League, and to return to the podium in major Asian club competitions.

Message to Al Hilal fans The former West Ham United player issued a direct message to Al Hilal supporters, calling on them to play their part from the stands as the team targets multiple honours.

He underlined the importance of a strong atmosphere at Al Hilal’s home games, saying the backing of the fans can be a significant factor in tight contests.

“I am looking forward to always seeing them in the stands because they give the team a huge motivation to achieve victories,” Summerville said.

He pledged to “give everything” on the pitch to reward that support, insisting that making the fanbase proud is central to his motivation in Saudi Arabia.

Al Hilal, widely regarded as the most decorated club in Asia, will hope Summerville’s arrival strengthens their bid to return to the summit both domestically and continentally, with the Dutchman now positioned as a key figure in their latest rebuild.