Aleksandar Mitrovic appears to have aimed a dig at Fulham and Newcastle after the Serbian forward declared he has ‘finally arrived at a top club’ after signing for Al-Hilal.

Mitrovic ended his eight-year spell in English football this summer after joining Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal in a £46m move from Fulham.

The 29-year-old had spent three years at Newcastle after joining from Anderlecht in 2015, before a successful five full seasons as a Fulham player.

In an interview with Italian newspaper Gazzetta Dello Sport, Mitrovic declared that he has now joined a ‘top club’ and compared the Saudi Arabian club’s status in Asia to Real Madrid’s in Europe. 

Aleksandar Mitrovic has claimed he has finally joined a big club after signing for Al-Hilal

Mitrovic had spent eight years in English football playing for both Newcastle and Fulham

The Serbian striker has compared Al-Hilal’s status in Asia to Real Madrid’s in European football

‘When I received the offer from Al-Hilal, I talked about it with my family, giving up was impossible,’ Mitrovic said.

‘I have no nostalgia for England, I played many years there.

‘I’m happy to have finally arrived at a top club, Al-Hilal is a bit like Real Madrid in Europe.’

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Mitrovic had been a significant success at Fulham with the forward having scored 111 goals in 206 appearances for the club.

The Serbian star’s goals had proved crucial in separate promotion campaigns from the Championship, including netting a record 43 goals in the 2021-22 season to help the club return to the Premier League.

Mitrovic also scored 14 goals for Marco Silva’s side last season to help the club finish in the top half.

Silva had expressed disappointment in Mitrovic for forcing his move to Al-Hilal during the summer.

Mitrovic was among several high-profile signings made by Al-Hilal during the summer window

The 29-year-old has enjoyed a strong start to life with the Saudi Pro League side, scoring five goals in his opening four matches to help the club top the early season table.

Mitrovic was one of several major signings made by the Saudi club this summer, including Brazilian superstar Neymar and his fellow Serbian international Sergej Milinkovic-Savic.

Yassine Bounou, Ruben Neves, Kalidou Koulibaly and Malcom were also among their major imports in the window.