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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Matt Smith

Roberto Firmino reaches 'full verbal agreement' to join new club following Liverpool departure

Roberto Firmino has reached a 'full verbal agreement' to join Saudi Arabian club Al Ahli following his departure from Liverpool, according to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano.

Having spent eight years on Merseyside, fan favourite Firmino left the Reds upon the expiry of his contract after making 362 appearances and scoring 111 goals for the club during that period. The Brazilian was a key figurehead at the forefront of Jurgen Klopp's Anfield revolution.

Despite his influence beginning to wane over time, Firmino still manage to hit double figures for Premier League goals in his final season at the club and, therefore, was unlikely to be short of suitors this summer.

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While Real Madrid, alongside a number of Italian clubs, had been strongly linked to Firmino, the 31-year-old's future has now seemingly become a whole lot clearer.

In a recent tweet, Romano claimed: "Understand Roberto Firmino has now reached a full verbal agreement with Al Ahli, here we go!

"Medical tests still pending — final step to get the deal signed. Contract will be valid until June 2026.

"Firmino would join Édouard Mendy in case deal will be completed."

Once the deal is confirmed, Firmino will join the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and N'Golo Kante in the Saudi Pro League among other huge names.

Upon announcing that he'd be leaving at the end of the season Firmino commented: "It is time, unfortunately. "The cycle here is ended and I understand it is time to go. Maybe one day I could come back, I don’t know, but it’s time to go.

"Come back as a coach? Maybe! You never say never. I don’t know what is going to happen with my future. It might be to play, you never know.

"We are leaving a great legacy. I'm very grateful to God for all that. I am so proud what we achieved here together. For everything that the club did for me and for my family, I’m so happy for everything."

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