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Football London
Football London
Sport
Josh Holland

Cristiano Ronaldo future resolved as Chelsea links to Portugal star end with lucrative transfer

Cristiano Ronaldo has completed his free transfer to Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr on a two-year contract.

Ronaldo, 37, joins the club on a free transfer following the termination of his Manchester United contract last month. The striker's second spell at Old Trafford was cut short following his explosive TV interview with Piers Morgan ahead of the World Cup.

The striker had been heavily linked with an exit prior to the interview after failing to nail a place in Erik ten Hag's side this season. United were said to be 'furious' with the player after he claimed to feel betrayed by the club's hierarchy.

READ MORE: Enzo Fernandez, Benoit Badiashile and Graham Potter's four Chelsea transfer window priorities

The transfer was confirmed on Friday evening with Al-Nassr, currently second in the country's top division, tweeting pictures of the iconic striker holding the No. 7 shirt.

The club tweeted: "History in the making. This is a signing that will not only inspire our club to achieve even greater success but inspire our league, our nation and future generations, boys and girls to be the best version of themselves. Welcome @Cristiano to your new home @AlNassrFC."

Ronaldo's decision to move to Saudi Arabia all but puts an end to his career at the highest level. Following his departure from Manchester United, it was thought that the striker was hoping to secure a move to a Champions League club but no clubs came forward.

Chelsea had been linked with the Portuguese, like they were in the summer, with Todd Boehly understood to be keen on bringing the striker to Stamford Bridge. However, the move never materialised.

The Blues remain on the lookout for a new striker after Armando Broja's injury in a friendly against Aston Villa. Atletico Madrid forward Joao Felix has been strongly tipped to join Graham Potter's side in January, while Christopher Nkunku is set to make the switch from RB Leipzig in the summer.

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Cristiano Ronaldo to Chelsea transfer: Al-Nassr signing date, £176m deal, 'agreement' reached

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