N’GOLO Kante has completed his move to Saudi Arabian club Al-Ittihad, linking up with his fellow Frenchman Karim Benzema.
The deal was confirmed today by the Saudi Arabia Pro League champions, with Kante set to earn €100m over four years.
“Kante is an Ittihad player now!” the club said in a statement on Twitter, while chairman Anmar al-Hailee added: “Welcome to our new tiger Kante,” a reference to the team’s nickname.
The midfielder, who won the World Cup with France in 2018, is the latest European star to move to the oil-rich kingdom, following in the footsteps of Cristiano Ronaldo and Benzema, with more still being lined up.
The 32-year-old won the Champions League and World Club Cup with Chelsea, as well as back-to-back Premier League titles with Leicester City and Chelsea.
“Kante has signed a three-year contract with the club,” the Jeddah-based team said in a statement today.
“Kante’s addition to Al-Ittihad is considered one of the most high-profile and impactful signings in the club’s history. It is part of the club’s efforts to establish itself as a top choice for world-class players in the Saudi Professional League.”
Kante will reportedly earn €25m per year guaranteed until 2027, plus additional money from commercial deals and image rights.
