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Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Koulibaly flatted to deceive at Chelsea</li><li>Defender completed Al-Hilal move in summer</li><li>Says he has "found happiness again" in Saudi</li></ul>

'I have found happiness again' - Kalidou Koulibaly reveals his 'delight' at Saudi Arabia move after nightmare Chelsea spell

Premier League

Leicester

Chelsea

Saudi Pro League

Al Khaleej

Al Hilal

The Senegal international joined the Blues in the summer of 2022, earmarked by Thomas Tuchel as Chelsea entered an era of Todd Boehly-Clearlake Capital ownership. But like most of his team-mates that season Koulibaly flattered to deceive, and at the age of 32 was <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/al-hilal-confirm-kalidou-koulibaly-signing-chelsea/bltd4f5d932d297d4e0#:~:text=Done%20deal!-,Al%2DHilal%20confirm%20Kalidou%20Koulibaly%20signing%20in%20%E2%82%AC25m%20deal,earn%20%E2%82%AC30m%20per%20year&amp;text=Al%2DHilal%20have%20confirmed%20the,m%2F%2427.3m)%20deal.&amp;text=WHAT%20HAPPENED%3F" target="_blank">shipped out to Al-Hilal due to a lack of other suitors</a>. And while that transfer certainly aided Chelsea's finances, with €25 million (£21m/$27m) recouped, the centre-back has revealed that the move has been a good fit for him, too.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Speaking to Spanish outlet AS, Koulibaly said: "I have found happiness again on and off the field. At Chelsea things were not as I expected, I was not used to not playing. When the offer came, I understood that it could be the right decision. And it was like this: I am delighted and the championship, with the signings, it is growing. People underestimate the level of the Saudis. Many thought that we came here on vacation and they found out that this is not the case. We have 27 consecutive victories and we will not stop until we win titles.”

WHAT KOULIBALY SAID

As his comments allude to, Koulibaly has certainly adapted to life in the Middle East. The veteran defender has played the full 90 minutes in 20 of Al-Hilal's 23 league games, popping up with two goals and an assist in the process. Starring alongside a host of stars who used to ply their trade in Europe, such as Ruben Neves, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, Aleksandr Mitrovic and, <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/neymar-defiant-injury-message-return-date-brazil-al-hilal-superstar-acl-surgery/blt0222c4e56b59981e" target="_blank">of course, the injured Neymar</a>, Koulibaly has helped Hilal to top the Saudi Pro League by a whopping 12 points.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

There was no let up for the league leaders as they defeated Al-Riyadh 3-1 in their last match on Friday, pulling even further away from <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/cristiano-ronaldo-bold-afc-champions-league-prediction-al-nassr-34-goal-superstar-inspiration-trophy-bid/blt1bba310a6bbca7e1" target="_blank">Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr</a> in second. As Koulibaly mentions, Al-Hilal boast a 27-game winning streak across all competitions, dating back to a 1-1 draw with Damac on September 21. One more win will result in a world record streak for the Saudi outfit.

DID YOU KNOW?

Al-Hilal host Damac next on March 16, but before that they face Al-Ittihad in the second leg of their AFC Champions League quarter-finals, where they hold a 2-0 lead from the first leg. Koulibably will reunite with <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/n-golo-kante-chelsea-al-ittihad-saudi-pro-league-al-hilal/blt8146afd88e057397" target="_blank">former Chelsea team-mate N'Golo Kante</a> in that clash.

WHAT NEXT FOR KOULIBALY?

'I have found happiness again' - Kalidou Koulibaly reveals his 'delight' at Saudi Arabia move after nightmare Chelsea spell | Goal.com English Kuwait

Former Chelsea defender Kalidou Koulibaly says he has &quot;found happiness again&quot; at Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal since moving in the summer.