Darwin Nunez Joins Al-Diriyah on Loan from Al-Hilal

Darwin Nunez has picked his path. And it is not the one that leads to Turkey.

The Uruguayan striker is set to join Al-Diriyah from Al-Hilal on loan, with a verbal agreement in place between the two Saudi clubs for a deal running until June 2027. The move shuts the door on Trabzonspor’s late push to bring him to the Turkish league.

For days, Trabzonspor had chased the idea of a reunion. Nunez and Mohamed Salah, back in the same attack after their Liverpool spell together, had become a genuine prospect rather than just a social media fantasy. Supporters in Trabzon had already started to dream.

That dream has been cut short.

Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano reported on X that Al-Hilal and Al-Diriyah have reached a verbal agreement for the loan, with Al-Diriyah set to cover Nunez’s salary for the full duration of the deal. Crucially, there is no option or obligation to buy included in the current terms, keeping Nunez tied to Al-Hilal beyond the loan on paper.

The framework is clear. Now the formalities have to catch up.

Contracts are still to be signed and a medical is being arranged before the move can be officially announced, but all sides are aligned on the structure of the transfer. Barring late drama, Nunez will wear Al-Diriyah colours for the next three seasons.

For Trabzonspor, it is a heavy blow. They had moved with intent, sensing an opportunity to add a high-profile forward and give Salah a familiar partner in attack. The prospect of that Liverpool link-up reappearing in the Turkish league had lit up the fanbase.

Instead, Nunez will stay in Saudi Arabia, trading one project for another and extending his stay in a league that continues to draw major names and major stories.

Trabzonspor must now look elsewhere. Al-Diriyah, meanwhile, know exactly who leads their line for the years ahead.