In the northwest of Saudi Arabia, the futuristic metropolis of NEOM is rising—a project set to receive a staggering investment of 500 billion euros as part of the state-backed global initiative “Saudi Vision 2030.”One of the key goals of this initiative is the development of football, with the ultimate ambition of hosting a World Cup by 2038 at the latest. Naturally, such a new city must have a football club to match its ambitions.That’s why Neom SC was “boosted” last season into promotion to the top division, and this July, the club has already begun gathering European stars in order to quickly build a high-profile squad.📝 𝗗𝗘𝗔𝗟 𝗗𝗢𝗡𝗘: Saudi Arabian side NEOM SC have signed Alexandre Lacazette as a free agent.(Source: @neomsportsclub) pic.twitter.com/2avqGKtVmJ— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) July 1, 2025 Just hours after announcing that 20-year-old Reims midfielder Amadou Kone had signed a long-term contract (with a transfer fee of over 13 million), the club confirmed another major signing previously hinted at: former Lyon captain Alexandre Lacazette (34) has joined Neom. The French veteran signed a two-year deal, though his salary has yet to be disclosed.There’s little doubt it’s a multimillion-euro figure. As is well known, Lyon has been suffering from major financial issues for months, culminating in a punishment from the French Football Federation and relegation to a lower division—circumstances that made it much easier for Neom to acquire the former Arsenal star.Ex-Gunner Lacazette leaves relegated Lyon to pursue another chapter far awayBefore Lacazette and Kone, Said Benrahma (29) had also joined Neom from Lyon, with 12 million paid for his release. Lacazette, on the other hand, arrived as a free agent. Other notable players from last season still at the club include striker Mbaye Diagne, formerly of Galatasaray and West Brom, and Alpha Semedo, previously with Benfica.In recent days, Neom has also been linked with Serbia’s Aleksandar Mitrović. NEOM is designed to be home to several million people and will rely entirely on renewable energy, primarily wind and solar.The city will be built on three levels: one above ground, exclusively pedestrian; and two underground—the first for logistics and supply systems, and the second for public transport.NEOM will be divided into three distinct regions: Trojena, Oxagon, and The Line. As recently explained by Brett Smith, the project’s general director, Trojena is envisioned as a mountain destination offering year-round skiing and adventure sports, featuring artificial lakes and a tech village.Oxagon will be an octagonal-shaped port and industrial business hub on the Red Sea, and is set to become the largest floating structure on Earth. Finally, The Line is planned as a 170-kilometre-long linear urban zone, stretching from the Red Sea across the mountains and plateaus of the country’s northwest.NEOM is not just a city—it’s an entire reimagining of urban life, and its football club appears set to be an integral part of Saudi Arabia’s bold vision for global prominence. Not a bad place to finish your career, isn’t it?
