Chelsea
midfielder N'Golo Kante has joined Saudi Arabia champions Al Ittihad on a
three-year deal.
The 32-year-old, who won the 2018 World Cup with France, joins up with
compatriot Karim Benzema, who left Real Madrid and signed a three-year
contract with the Saudi side earlier this week.
"Don't believe in fake news. Kante is an Ittihad player now," the club
posted in a video on Twitter.
Reports suggest the former Leicester City midfielder has signed a contract
worth around £86m-a-year.
Al Ittihad are managed by former Wolves and Tottenham boss Nuno Espirito
Santo and finished five points ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo's Al Nassr - who
came second - last season.
Kante leaves Chelsea after seven years at Stamford Bridge.
He won winning the Champions League, Premier League, Europa League and FA
Cup during his time with the club.
The Frenchman's most recent season was plagued by injuries, however, as he
missed 38 matches in all competitions with Chelsea struggling without him
and finishing 12th in the league.
Saudi Arabia are signing some of world football's most desired talent this
summer - but why is this happening and what is to come?
In 2023 alone, Cristiano Ronaldo moved to the Middle Eastern nation on a
free transfer, with Ballon D'Or winner Karim Benzema turning down another
season at Real Madrid to join him in the country.
That is by no means the end of it with as many as five Chelsea players set
to leave the Premier League side for the Saudi Pro League, with the likes of
Sergio Ramos, Bernardo Silva and Heung-Min Son reportedly facing similar
offers.
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