Joao Felix leaves Chelsea to join Al-Nassr
The 25-year-old Portugal international moved to Stamford Bridge from Atletico Madrid last summer, having had an earlier spell with the Blues on loan in 2023.
He made 20 appearances for Enzo Maresca's side in the first half of the season – but started only three Premier League games – before leaving for AC Milan on loan in January.
'We thank Joao for his efforts across his two spells at the club and wish him well for the future,' Chelsea said in the statement.
Felix has signed a two-year contract with his new club. Al-Nassr have reportedly paid an initial £26million transfer fee, although add-ons could see that rise as high as £43million – close to the sum Chelsea paid Atletico for his services last summer.
He joins his Portugal team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo at Al-Nassr, who announced his arrival with a short video on social media in which Felix said: 'I am here to spread joy. Let's win together.'

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


New York Times
an hour ago
- New York Times
Son Heung-min asks to leave Tottenham amid talks with LAFC
Tottenham Hotspur captain Son Heung-min has asked to leave the club this summer. Son informed the club and new head coach Thomas Frank earlier this summer that he wanted to leave, having led the side to their first trophy in 17 years at the end of last season. Spurs are currently on their pre-season tour in East Asia and face Newcastle United in a friendly at the 66,000 capacity Seoul World Cup Stadium in the capital of South Korea on Sunday. It could be the South Korea international's final game. The Athletic reported earlier this month that MLS side Los Angeles FC were interested in signing Son. Advertisement Son informed the club and new head coach Thomas Frank earlier this summer that he wanted to leave. They have received interest from clubs in the Saudi Pro League, who are prepared to offer more money for the forward, but he is keen on a move to LAFC and discussions are ongoing. Spurs want to manage the 33-year-old's exit as smoothly as possible in recognition of what he has achieved throughout his 10 years of service. Son joined Spurs from Bayer Leverkusen in August 2015 and he has scored 173 goals in over 450 appearances. He was appointed as captain in the summer of 2023 by former head coach Ange Postecoglou and helped Spurs to win their first piece of silverware since 2008 when they beat Manchester United in the Europa League final in May. In his first press conference last month, Frank, who succeeded Postecoglou at the start of June, was asked if Son had earned the right to determine his own future. 'It's always tricky, situations like that,' Frank said. 'If that happens. Right now I have a player that is fully committed and training well, and will play tomorrow. If a player has been at a club a long time, then there will always be a decision for the club to take of course. 'The head coach and the guys who are in charge and this case it will be with Daniel (Levy) and Johan (Lange). Because there is something in it if someone wants to leave at a certain stage, then there can be something there. But the club will always decide in the end.' Son and Frank are talking to the media on Saturday morning in Seoul. This has already been a summer of significant change for Spurs with the departure of Postecoglou, but this will hit the fanbase the hardest. Son has evolved into one of the best forwards in the world during his time with Spurs and formed a devastating partnership with Harry Kane. They were the figureheads of the Mauricio Pochettino era when Spurs challenged for the Premier League title and lost the 2019 Champions League final. Advertisement Son was the joint top-scorer in the Premier League with Liverpool's Mohamed Salah in the 2021-22 season and scored an incredible solo goal against Burnley which won the 2020 FIFA Puskas Award. Son gave Tottenham's supporters countless memories but nothing will top the Europa League final in May. Other fan favourites, including Kane, Gareth Bale and Luka Modric, left Spurs to fulfil their ambitions of winning a trophy but Son stayed and etched himself into their history books. A foot injury forced him to be a second-half substitute against Manchester United in Bilbao but he played an important role in their progress throughout the competition. After the final game of the season against Brighton & Hove Albion, Son went on a solo lap of honour around the stadium after the rest of the squad and now it feels like he was saying goodbye. He will receive an incredible reception against Newcastle on Sunday when he plays in front of his home fans who greeted him in their hundreds at Incheon Airport on Friday afternoon. This is a bittersweet moment for Spurs and Son – but it might be a blessing in disguise for Frank. Son's performances were underwhelming last season and his output has declined. He only scored seven league goals during the 2024-25 campaign which is the first time he has failed to hit double figures since his debut season in 2015-16. Frank will avoid having a difficult decision to make about whether to strip Son of the captaincy and he can focus on developing Mathys Tel and Wilson Odobert. Most importantly, Son will leave on a high and as a hero after winning the Europa League.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Benjamin Sesko makes crucial transfer decision to impact Liverpool's Alexander Isak chase
RB Leipzig forward Benjamin Sesko has snubbed Manchester United and is keen to join Newcastle United. That's according to DELO, who claims Sesko has analyzed both Premier League proposals and favors a move to Newcastle this summer. The news comes just hours after Liverpool saw a $146 million offer for Alexander Isak rejected by Newcastle. Newcastle has clarified that Isak is not for sale, but would only consider allowing a deal if its $197 million valuation was met. After losing out on Hugo Ekitike to Liverpool, Newcastle has also stated that a replacement for Isak would need to be finalized before allowing him to leave. READ MORE: Luis Diaz dealt early Bayern Munich setback after Tottenham transfer agreement READ MORE: Liverpool transfer news LIVE: Alexander Isak bid, Adidas kit launch, Rodrygo talks Sesko, 22, is seen as one of the brightest young talents in world soccer and has been heavily monitored by Europe's top clubs. Newcastle and United are considered the frontrunners to sign him this summer, but Sesko prefers a move to the League Cup champions. The Slovenian forward joined Leipzig from Salzburg in 2022 for a fee of $28 million. Leipzig is understood to require a fee of $87 million to sanction a transfer this summer, with add-ons and a sell-on clause also integral to a potential sale. Earlier this window, Newcastle attempted to sign Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt and planned to play him alongside Isak. However, Liverpool hijacked the move and then tried to prize Isak away from Newcastle. After weeks of speculation, Liverpool submitted an official bid for Isak worth $146 million on Friday. Newcastle instantly rejected the offer, and Liverpool opted to withdraw its interest. A second bid was thought to be pointless due to Newcastle's firm stance, which hasn't changed since Liverpool's interest was first reported. However, Newcastle's stance could change if a replacement striker is signed, and Sesko is keen on the move. It's been a very active summer for Liverpool, which has signed Ekitike, Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez, and Armin Pecsi. Approximately $325 million has been spent by Liverpool this summer, meaning that departures have also been crucial to balance the books. Nat Phillips, Caoimhin Kelleher, Jarell Quansah, and Luis Diaz all left the club this summer, and Liverpool received a collective $141 million. Liverpool also secured $12 million from Real Madrid for the early release of Trent Alexander-Arnold. Another high-profile player must be sold to come close to Newcastle's demands and fund a potential Isak transfer. Darwin Nunez has been heavily linked with an exit this summer, and negotiations with Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal are ongoing. Liverpool is looking to secure a fee in the region of $75 million for Nunez, $10 million less than they paid Benfica for his services in 2022. Nunez was previously in talks with Napoli, but the Serie A champions withdrew interest. Tyler Morton, Harvey Elliott, and Andrew Robertson have also been linked with moves away from Liverpool this summer. At this stage, a second bid for Isak is off the table, but if Sesko joins Newcastle, the transfer saga may be revived.


San Francisco Chronicle
an hour ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
Mike Yastrzemski homers in his first at bat with Royals after they acquired him at trade deadline
TORONTO (AP) — Mike Yastrzemski made quite the early impression on his new teammates by homering in his first plate appearance with the Kansas City Royals on Friday, a day after they acquired him from the San Francisco Giants. Yastrzemski hit a 370-foot blast over the wall in right-center field while facing Kevin Gausman in the second inning of the Royals' game against the AL East-leading Toronto Blue Jays. His two-run shot gave the Royals a 2-1 lead. The Royals gave up minor league pitcher Yunior Marte in the trade that brought Yastrzemski to Kansas City. Yastrzemski, who is eligible for free agency at the end of the season, was batting .231 with a .330 on-base percentage, .355 slugging percentage, eight homers, 28 RBIs and six steals in 96 games with the Giants. The 34-year-old Yastrzemski had spent his entire major league career with San Francisco. The Giants acquired him from the Baltimore Orioles in March 2019, and he made his major league debut later that year. ___