“I Am Tiger” – Days After Pet Dog Nearly Cost Him Saudi Transfer, Ex-Liverpool Star Shoots Announcement Video With a Tiger

After Cristiano Ronaldo-Al Nassr’s $200 million deal, Saudi Arabia has turned into a lucrative career option for top soccer players. However, Saudi Arabia is known for its strict rules, and soccer players have to be mindful of them. A few weeks back, a Liverpool star transfer to the Middle East was rumored to fail because of a peculiar reason.

Interestingly, Brazilian midfielder Fabinho finally broke his silence and announced his three-year deal with the Saudi Arabian side Al-Ittihad. The 29-year-old transfer move was facing a possible danger because of his two pet dogs, as they wouldn’t be allowed to accompany the soccer star to the Middle East. Regardless, Fabinho put an end to all these false rumors with the recent announcement video.

Ex- Liverpool star joins the Saudi League

Fabinho has completed his move from Liverpool to Al-Ittihad for a $51 million deal until 2026. The Brazilian becomes the second midfielder from Liverpool to join a club in Saudi Arabia in a matter of days, following Jordan Henderson’s switch to Al-Ettifaq. Indeed, the 29-year-old move to Saudi League broke the internet.

However, several rumors about Fabinho’s $51 million deal face possible danger shortly took over the internet. Interestingly, there were several claims of Saudi Arabia prohibiting Fabinho’s move because of his two pet dogs. Saudi Arabia already has very strict rules, and it prohibits bringing aggressive pets into the country.

Surprisingly, the club announced the deal on Monday evening with a video captioned ‘Tigers are allowed to pass’. Furthermore, Fabinho could be spotted in the clip alongside a tiger. He further looks at the camera and says, ” I’m a Tiger!”

With no surprise, the clip made reference to the rumored hitch in the deal, which involved Fabinho’s concern about his dogs. The 29-year-old owns two bulldogs, and the player took issue with rules in Saudi Arabia banning ‘dangerous and aggressive dogs’.

DIVE DEEPER: After Cristiano Ronaldo’s Bold Take on Saudi League, New Teammate Reveals Why He Did Not Hesitate To Choose Al Nassr As 1st Option

However, the Saudi club finally put an end to all these rumors with Fabinho’s announcement video. The former Liverpool star will join other star names such as Karim Benzema, Riyad Mahrez, and N’Golo Kante in moving to Al-Ittihad this summer.

Saudi clubs have changed the landscape of sports by offering financially advantageous contracts to renowned soccer players. Interestingly, the Manchester City boss also warned the top clubs regarding Saudi Arabia’s strategy.

Why does Pep Guardiola believe the Saudi League is a threat?

Manchester City boss broke his silence after Riyad Mahrez’s blockbuster $39 million deal to join the Saudi League. Furthermore, he claimed that the Saudi league’s financial allure is an opportunity any athlete would think twice before turning down. Not to forget, he himself claimed that he couldn’t convince Mahrez to not take such a splendid opportunity.

Guardiola believes that after Cristiano Ronaldo’s move, it wasn’t certain if it could influence the European Soccer League. However, because of Saudi Arabia’s multi-billion dollar market, it influenced several top soccer players to join the Saudi League.

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Man City boss warns top clubs of Saudi Arabia’s strategy as Saudi club’s lucrative financial packages aren’t easy to refuse. What are your thoughts on Saudi Arabia’s lucrative contract deals? Let us know in the comments.