Official announcement from Al-Ittihad Club
Saudi Arabia's Al-Ittihad club officially announced the departure of their star midfielder, Frenchman N'Golo Kanté, after reaching a final agreement for his transfer to Turkish club Fenerbahçe during the current summer transfer window. This announcement puts an end to the speculation surrounding the player's future with the Jeddah-based club.
The club published a touching statement on its official X account, bidding farewell to the player with words full of appreciation: “Goodbye, Kante, thank you, N’Golo, for what you have given to the team.”.
Background and context of the deal in the Saudi League
This departure brings to a close a short but notable period for the French star in Saudi football, which began in the summer of 2013 as part of the major transfer revolution that swept through the Saudi Professional League, attracting some of the world's biggest stars to Saudi clubs. Kanté's arrival, alongside his compatriot Karim Benzema, was a blockbuster signing for Al-Ittihad, raising high hopes among fans for more trophies.
The decision to leave came after contract renewal negotiations between the two parties stalled during the past period, in addition to a clear desire on the part of Kante to have a new experience in the Turkish league, which accelerated the pace of negotiations with Fenerbahce.
The impact and significance of Kante's departure
Domestically, Kanté's departure represents a significant loss for Al-Ittihad's midfield. The player, who won the 2018 World Cup with France and boasts major titles such as the Premier League and Champions League, leaves a void that will be difficult to fill due to his experience and unique defensive abilities. The club's management will have to find a suitable replacement to maintain the team's balance and competitiveness in the increasingly competitive Roshan League.
Regionally, the transfer of a star of Kante’s stature from the Saudi League to the Turkish League is a noteworthy point, as it highlights the enduring appeal of major European clubs and their ability to attract players even from ambitious projects like the Saudi sports project.
The team's future and anticipated signings
In a related development, reports indicate that Kanté's departure paves the way for the arrival of Moroccan international striker Youssef En-Nesyri at Al-Ittihad, a move aimed at restructuring the team and bolstering its attacking options. The deal is expected to be officially announced in the coming days.
Al-Ittihad is now preparing for the post-Kante era, as it faces an important match against its rival Al-Nasr in the twenty-first round of the Roshan Professional League, which will be held next Friday at the “Al-Awwal Park” stadium, and will be a real test of the team’s ability to adapt to the absence of its French star.
