Kante leaves Chelsea for Al-Ittihad

Midfielder N'Golo Kante has decided to join Al-Ittihad as a free agent on a three-year contract which means that he will leave Chelsea after seven years.

The France international, who joined Chelsea from Leicester City in 2016, will play alongside Ballon d'Or winner Karim Benzema at Al-Ittihad.

"Don't believe in fake news. Kante is an Ittihad player now," the Saudi club posted in a video message on Twitter.

According to British media, the 32-year-old has penned a contract worth around 86 million pounds a year.

“N’Golo’s impact and influence during his time at Chelsea cannot be overstated. His tireless performances in midfield contributed to several trophy wins and has guaranteed him a place in the club’s history. We wish him well as he embarks on the next chapter in his career,” Chelsea’s co-sporting directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley said.

A dynamic and industrious midfielder, Kante won the World Cup with France in 2018.

His club career also glitters. He won the Champions League and Club World Cup with Chelsea, as well as back-to-back Premier League titles with Leicester City and Chelsea.

Kante´s contract with the London club was set to expire this month and they paid him a handsome tribute in bidding him farewell.

In a video posted online by the club, Benzema, 35, said in a message to his fellow Frenchman: "One time I told you, you´re the best player, box to box, in the world. Now I´m happy to play with you again, and of course in the best team in Saudi."

Kante said he was "very excited to play for the Tigers".

Several high-profile footballers have been linked with moves to Saudi Arabia in recent weeks, while Cristiano Ronaldo signed with Al-Nassr in December in a deal reported to be worth around $220 million per year.

— Additional input from AFP