RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — Kingsley Coman is leaving Bayern Munich after a trophy-filled decade to join up with Cristiano Ronaldo at Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr.
Bayern announced the transfer late Friday. Kicker magazine reported a fee of up to 35 million euros ($41 million) for the French winger.
Coman, who scored Bayern’s winning goal against Paris Saint-Germain in the 2020 Champions League final, will be part of a star-studded forward lineup with Ronaldo, fellow new signing João Félix and Coman’s former Bayern teammate Sadio Mané.
Al-Nassr is looking to improve after finishing third in the Saudi Pro League last season and signed Ronaldo to a two-year contract extension in June. Former Barcelona defender Iñigo Martínez joined on a free transfer last week.
Coman’s departure from Bayern comes two weeks after the German champion signed Luis Díaz from Liverpool, intensifying Coman’s competition for places. He got a fond farewell from Bayern coach Vincent Kompany after they won the Bundesliga together last season.
“When a player as successful as him leaves the club, it’s always a bit emotional,” Kompany said earlier Friday.
“You have to have understanding for his position in this situation and what he’d like. For me, what’s important now is that we look forward and that we show a lot of respect for Kingsley Coman, for what he’s done for this club.”
Coman won the German title nine times at Bayern since his initial arrival on loan from Juventus in 2015. Despite that success, the 29-year-old winger struggled for playing time last season and was often used as a bench player by Kompany, even before Díaz’s arrival.
Coman had nine goals in 45 games in all competitions last season and is the second experienced Bayern forward to leave after Leroy Sané departed for Turkey’s Galatasaray on a free transfer, also after lacking game time.
“He earned an eternal place in the club’s history with his goal in the 2020 Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain,” Bayern board member for sport, Max Eberl, said.
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