Former Chelsea defender Kalidou Koulibaly has openly admitted that financial gain was the primary motivation behind his move to Saudi Pro League giants Al-Hilal.
The 32-year-old defender, who made 32 appearances for Premier League side Chelsea last season, was officially presented as an Al Hilal player at the weekend.
He will reportedly earn £300,000 per week at Al-Hilal.
In an interview with Il Corriere dello Sport, Koulibaly revealed his decision, stating, “I won’t lie. I go to Saudi Arabia for the money. I can make sure that my whole family can live a good life, from my parents to my cousins.”
However, Koulibaly also emphasized the positive impact he intends to make through his newfound wealth.
He expressed his intention to invest significantly in charitable endeavours, stating, “I will also be able to invest a lot in charity. We have already started building a clinic in the village where my parents grew up.”
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While financial gain played a significant role in his decision, Koulibaly highlighted the religious aspects that made the move to Saudi Arabia meaningful for him.
As a practising Muslim, he sees the proximity to Mecca as a significant benefit. He remarked, “I am a Muslim and I am coming to a country that is perfect for me. Mecca is close, and it will do me good, which is also very important.”