Darwin Nunez’s time in Saudi Arabia has taken another unexpected turn, with the former Liverpool striker now set for a fresh challenge after struggling for regular football at Al-Hilal.
The Uruguay international joined Al-Hilal from Liverpool in the summer of 2025 following three seasons at Anfield, but his first year in Saudi Arabia ultimately failed to provide the consistency he would have hoped for.
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Nunez scored six goals and registered four assists in 16 Saudi Pro League appearances last season, before his involvement was restricted following the arrival of Karim Benzema and foreign-player registration limits.
Now, Al-Hilal have officially confirmed that Nunez will leave the club on loan, with the striker joining newly promoted Saudi Pro League side Al Diriyah until the end of the 2026/27 season.
In a statement on their official website, Al-Hilal confirmed that their Board of Directors had approved the loan of the 27-year-old to Diriyah for the upcoming campaign.
The announcement comes three days after Fabrizio Romano revealed that a verbal agreement had been reached between the two Saudi clubs.
Romano reported that the deal would run until June 2027, with Al Diriyah covering Nunez’s salary and no option to buy included in the agreement.
The move brings another chapter to a career which has taken several twists since Nunez left Liverpool.
Liverpool signed the Uruguayan from Benfica in 2022 for an initial fee of £65 million, with the deal potentially rising to around £85 million.
He produced plenty of memorable moments at Anfield, but his finishing and consistency were regularly questioned during his three years on Merseyside.
Despite scoring important goals and playing a role in Liverpool’s Premier League title-winning campaign, Nunez eventually found himself behind other attacking options under Arne Slot before departing for Al-Hilal in August 2025.
His move to Al Diriyah could now represent an opportunity to rebuild his confidence and rediscover his best form.
With regular first-team football likely to be available, Nunez will hope this fresh start can reignite a career which has not quite reached the heights many expected when he arrived at Liverpool.
For Al Diriyah, meanwhile, the arrival of an experienced international striker represents a major statement as they prepare for their first season in the Saudi Pro League.