The big names the Saudi Pro League has recruited so far this year...

Like China a few years ago, Saudi Arabia has made a big leap in the landscape of world football. After making a strong impression at the 2022 World Cup, the country is now attracting more and more football stars.

The first very big transfer, which moreover surely allowed the championship to gain attention on the global stage, was Cristiano Ronaldo. In the midst of his conflict with Manchester United, the Portuguese star signed with Al-Nassr in early January.

To attract the five-time Ballon d'Or, the club had to provide other guarantees that went beyond success on the field. Given how sought after the 38-year-old still was by other big-name, big-budget clubs, Ronaldo was able to command a price tag of 200 million euros ($222.8m US,  £173.5m) per year for his move to Al-Nassr.

Since this transfer, many players, some still very successful in Europe, have decided to take the plunge to join Saudi Arabia, in exchange for lucrative contracts.

The first player to join Saudi Arabia during the summer transfer window was Karim Benzema. The French striker, Real Madrid legend and Ballon d'Or 2022, has now taken charge of Al-Ittihad.

In Saudi Arabia, the Frenchman will receive no less than 200 million euros per season, like his former teammate Ronaldo. Officially, Benzema has signed a three-year lease, including an optional fourth year.

Another French star who has decided to settle down in Saudi Arabia is N'Golo Kanté. The midfielder, who also plays in the national side, has also joined Al-Ittihad, where he will evolve with Benzema.

Kanté joined once his contract with Chelsea finished at the end of this season. He signed up with Al-Ittihad until 2027 with an estimated annual salary of 25 million euros.

Among the new signings in the championship is the 26-year-old Portuguese, Ruben Neves. Arriving straight from Wolverhampton, the midfielder joined the Al-Hilal club.

Signing there for 55 million euros, Neves signed up until June 2026 with a contract for an estimated salary of around 14 million euros per year.

Al-Hilal has not only recruited Neves since the start of the transfer window. The club also offered Chelsea defender Kalidou Koulibaly a contract less than a year after his arrival in England.

The former Neapolitan defender has been transferred to Saudi Arabia for a sum of 25 million euros. The African champion has signed a three-year contract there during which he should receive 20 million euros per year.

A third player left the ranks of Chelsea to join Saudi Arabia: goalkeeper Edouard Mendy. The former Stade Rennais club man left the Blues to join Al-Ahli.

The Senegalese international was transferred to Al-Ahli for a fee between 18 and 20 million euros. He will receive around 11 million euros per year with 3 million bonuses.

Al-Nassr has not only recruited Cristiano Ronaldo to strengthen its ranks. The Saudi club has also secured the services of Croatian Marcelo Brozovic from Inter Milan.

Brozovic was transferred to Al-Nassr for a fee of 18 million euros. The Croatian international has signed a 3-year contract during which he will receive between 20 and 30 million euros per year.

The latest recruit to the Saudi championship is one of the winners of the 2019 Champions League with Liverpool: Roberto Firmino. The Brazilian will join Edouard Mendy at Al-Ahli.

A free agent, Firmino arrived for free in Saudi Arabia where he should stay for three years, according to his contract. He will earn around 20 million euros a year at his new club Al-Ahli.