Ruben Neves struggled to control his emotions in a message to Wolves fans as his move Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal was confirmed.
The midfielder ends his six-year spell at Molineux after he arrived at the club from FC Porto when they were in the Championship. Neves was among the stars who lead them back to the Premier League but departs with a year left on his contract for a fee reportedly in the region of £47m.
He pens a three-year deal in the Saudi Pro League in the latest European star to make the lucrative move to Asia. Karim Benzema joined Cristiano Ronaldo at Al Ittihad with N'Golo Kante ending his stay in the Premier League as he joined his France teammate upon the expiry of his contract at Stamford Bridge.
Liverpool had been linked with the Portugal midfielder as his future became uncertain at Molineux. n February, it was reported that his agent Jorge Mendes met with Barcelona chiefs over a summer move. It was reported by Sport, that he would prefer to leave the English top-flight but a move to a top-level club wasn't ruled out.
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On Friday, the move was confirmed with Neves unveiled as an Al Hilal player. In a message sent to Wolves fans, a teary-eyed Neves said: "Wolves. Six seasons. Two-hundred-and-fifty-three games. Champions of the Championship. Five years of Premier League football. An FA Cup semi-final. Our European adventure and some huge wins.
"Thirty goals. Thirteen assists and thousands of memories which will last forever. What an unbelievable journey. I've worked with so many great people along the way from the kit men to the kitchen staff, ground staff to the board members, from the physios to the coaches, technical staff to the media, to every single person I had the chance to work with.
"Ever single moment was unforgettable. To all of the players who were part of the club for the last six years, you are friends for life. The way we protected the pack was really incredible, the way we worked together, fought for the together, what we achieved and all the moments we spent together. Unbelievable."
He continued: "There are no words to describe our dressing room, with a team spirit that I've never experienced before and then to become the captain for the final year made me so proud. Thank you, guys. What we did will be in the club's history forever.
"I cannot thank you enough for the welcome, I cannot thank you enough for the way you treated me and mainly for the way you adopted my family as one of your own. The way you support the team is unreal, I was surprised when I came [to the club] at the start of the Championship season and now, I will be one of you, a massive fan for life. It really feels like home here and we will never, ever forget you.
"Six years is a long way, a long time, my kids grew up in Wolverhampton, they were so happy here. My and my lovely wife will never forget the time we had here as a family.
"I hope we can keep this big connection, I leave as a player but I will always be a wolf, thank you for everything and I will see you in the South Bank one day.
"Wolves 'ay we. Your captain, Ruben Neves."
