OFFICIAL: Allan Saint-Maximin Joins Saudi Arabian Side Al-Ahli From Newcastle United.

Allan Saint-Maximin has joined Saudi Arabian club side Al-Ahli from Premier League club Newcastle United.

The former Magpies winger has left St James' Park to move to Al-Ahli for an undisclosed fee, with reports claiming that the fee could be inflated in order to help Newcastle comply with Financial Fair Play regulations.

It had been rumoured that he'd been offered a deal worth around £23million.

The French forward, has agreed to a three-year contract with the side who are owned by Saudi's Public Investment Fund (PIF), and also have an 80% stake in Newcastle.

The deal will keep him at the club untill June 30, 2026.

He becomes the fourth high profile player to join the Saudi Pro League champions this summer, following the signing of Riyad Mahrez from Man City, Roberto Firmino from Liverpool, and Edouard Mendy from Chelsea.

Saint-Maximin moved from French Ligue 1 side, OGC Nice to join Newcastle in 2019 where he played 111 times, scoring only 12 Premier League goals, and registering 21 assists having struggled with injury in recent seasons.

On Saturday, Saint-Maximin confirmed his exit from Newcastle with an emotional social media post, saying his "greatest trophy" was playing for the club.

The 26-year-old took to Twitter to share his thoughts on his time in England, saying: "Four years ago, I wore the Newcastle jersey for the first time.

"At that moment, I hadn't realised that not only was I about to become a Newcastle player, but I was also about to become a Geordie.

"I fell for Newcastle, I had great opportunities to leave during dark days, but that was too late I was already in love, I wanted, I needed, I had to stay for helping my team to save the club from Premier League relegation because it meant the world for me.

"I'm leaving Newcastle as it should always have been and that's my greatest trophy because I was a part of it.

"I love you, I love you sincerely, I love you like a Geordie brother. Once a Geordie, always a Geordie."

Newcastle sporting director Dan Ashworth said last year that the club must be open to selling players in order to comply with spending restrictions.

The Tyneside club said in a statement: "Everyone at Newcastle United thanks Allan for his contribution to the club and community and extends best wishes for the next chapter in his career."

This summer, Howe has been able to bring in Italy midfielder Sandro Tonali from AC Milan for £55m and English winger Harvey Barnes from Leicester City for £38m.

Al-Ahli also posted on messaging platform X, previously known as Twitter.

"We pick the best, and he's one of them,"