Saudi Pro League champions Al-Ittihad SC have confirmed the signing of N’Golo Kante when he becomes a free agent at the end of his Chelsea contract in June.
The 32-year-old French international had been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia, and now the club have confirmed it with a sequence of social media posts, hailing the French midfielder as the best box-to-box player in the world.
“Ittihad club has announced the signing of French international player N’Golo Kante,” read a statement on their official website, adding: “Kante has signed a three-year contract with the club, which was finalised on Tuesday, June 20, after he completed his medical test in Dubai.
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“This move comes as Ittihad, who recently won the Saudi Professional League, aims to strengthen their squad. Kante’s addition to Ittihad is considered one of the most high-profile and impactful signings in the club’s history.”
He will now link up with former Real Madrid forward and teammate at the national team level Karim Benzema at the club, after he joined the ranks of top players joining the Saudi Pro League, including Cristiano Ronaldo, who plays for rivals Al-Nassr.
Kante, who leaves Stamford Bridge after seven years, is a 2018 World Cup winner with France, as well as a Premier League winner with both Leicester City and Chelsea. He also lifted the Champions League trophy with the Blues in 2021.
Al Ittihad are managed by former Wolves and Tottenham Hotspur manager Nuno Espirito Santo and finished five points ahead of Ronaldo’s Al Nassr – who came second – last season.