Saudi Arabian club Al-Ittihad have confirmed the signing of N’Golo Kante, who will officially join the club on a free transfer from Chelsea.
The 32-year-old will join Nuno Espirito Santo’s side when his contract with Chelsea expires at the end of the month, bringing an end to a remarkable seven-year stint at Stamford Bridge.
Despite his injury issues in recent years, Chelsea were eager to sign Kante to a new contract, and there was hope that an agreement could be struck.
At some point, it was reported that Kante was about to sign new terms with Chelsea, though the length of his new contract was undisclosed.
As a result, Chelsea and Kante were unable to reach an agreement, and the France international was courted by Al-Ittihad, who signed him on a three-year contract until 2026.
Kanté is wearing the yellow jersey!
📦 to 📦
#WelcomeBox2Box pic.twitter.com/swt8eVdM81— Ittihad Club (@ittihad_en) June 20, 2023
During his seven years at Chelsea, which he joined in 2016 after winning the Premier League with Leicester City, Kante scored 13 goals and supplied 16 assists in 269 games, winning the Champions League, Premier League, FA Cup, Club World Cup, UEFA Super Cup, and Europa League.
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The midfielder won the PFA Players’ Player of the Year, Premier League Player of the Season, and FWA Footballer of the Year awards for 2016-17, as well as a place in the PFA Team of the Year for the second year in a row.
However, Kante’s final two years in West London were marred by injuries, and he only made nine appearances in the 2022-23 season owing to hamstring and groin ailments.
Chelsea are believed to be in discussions with Saudi clubs for all of Edouard Mendy, Kalidou Koulibaly, and Hakim Ziyech.
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