Al-Ittihad have confirmed the signing of French midfielder N’Golo Kante as a free agent from Chelsea.
His contract expires with Chelsea on June 30, 2023. He signed a four-year contract with his new club.
The player will be entitled to a £25 million salary per season until 2027, when he would have received a £100 million total fixed package plus commercial deals and image rights.
Saudi Arabia Champions Al-Ittihad confirmed the signing via their social media page with the caption: “The best box-to-box player in the world”.
A statement was posted by Al-Ittihad confirming Kante’s move to the Middle East, which reads, “Ittihad Club wishes Kante success in achieving the club goals and fulfilling the expectations of all the club’s fans and supporters during his time at the club.”
The club is planning to unveil the 32-year-old midfielder as their new player at the King Abdullah Sport City Stadium in July 2023, the same way they unveiled Karim Benzema.
N’Golo Kante will link up with other world-class players in the Saudi Arabia Pro League, most especially his new teammate Karim Benzema.
Kante’s addition to Al-Ittihad is considered one of the most high-profile and impactful signings in the club’s history.
It was officially the end of Kante’s time at Chelsea since joining the club from Leicester in 2016.
N’Golo Kante is a 2018 World Cup winner with France as well as a Premier League winner with Leicester City and Chelsea.
N’Golo Kante became the first player to lift the Premier League back-to-back with two different teams since Eric Cantona in 1993.
N’Golo Kante lifted the FA Cup in 2018, won the Europa League in 2019, and also lifted the Champions League with Chelsea in 2021 under the management of Thomas Tuchel.
Kante’s appearances were limited to nine last season due to the hamstring injury he suffered in August. He had surgery in October that forced him out of the World Cup in Qatar in 2022.
Karim Benzema Welcomes N’Golo Kante to Al-Ittihad Football Club.
Former Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema welcomes his France national team mate N’Golo Kante to the Middle East side.
Benzema took to his social media account, saying, “One time I told you, you are the best player, box to box, in the World.
“Now I am happy to play with you again, and of course, with the best team in Saudi Arabia.”
Al-Ittihad won the Saudi Arabia League last season and are looking forward to building their team ahead of next season.
Al-Ittihad rival Al-Nassr are also looking at rebuilding the squad with the signing of big-name players.
It was reported that Al Nassr are already close to signing Hakim Ziyech from Chelsea.
