Just days after leaving Newcastle United, Allan Saint-Maximin has already scored his first goal for his new club.
The 26-year-old’s move to Al Ahli was made official on Sunday, after ASM issued an emotional goodbye to the Toon Army ahead of his £23million move.
Pretty much every current Newcastle player has expressed their disappointment at Saint-Maximin leaving, with the Frenchman receiving kind messages from the likes of Kieran Trippier and Joe Willock.
It is really sad to see him go, but it was a case of needs must with regards to financial fair play. The deal should allow Newcastle to be more active in the transfer market, which is essential ahead of the new season.
For Saint-Maximin, he is now getting a fresh start in Saudi Arabia, where he is lining up for Al Ahli alongside superstar names such as Riyad Mahrez and Roberto Firmino.
Maxi has fell on his feet, and is already making a big impression at his new club.
Allan Saint-Maximin scores first goal for Al Ahli
Al Ahli competed in a friendly against Al Shamal on Tuesday, winning 5-0. It was a dominant display against the Qatari side, with Firmino scoring twice.
There was also a goal from Saint-Maximin, who cleverly shifted the ball past the defender before firing an effort low into the bottom left corner. It is two goals in two games for ASM, having also found the net in his final Newcastle outing.
After the goal, Saint-Maximin took to Instagram.
Alongside a video of the strike, he wrote: “First game first goal.”
He will hope that is the first of many for Al Ahli, and the message has prompted replies from a couple of his former Newcastle teammates.
Joelinton responded with a couple of fire emojis, while there was a one-word message from Bruno Guimaraes.
The Brazilian wrote: “Vamoos”.
That loosely translates to ‘come on’, as Bruno celebrates his friend scoring on his Al Ahli debut.
Assuming Maxi continues to impress for the Saudi Pro League club, there will likely be plenty of messages like this from Newcastle players throughout the season. He was obviously a very popular player on Tyneside, and Eddie Howe’s men are eager to see the winger succeed in Saudi Arabia.
The early signs are promising, with one goal from one game so far.
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