After seven years at Chelsea, French international N’Golo Kante has joined Saudi Arabian champions Al-Ittihad as a free agent on a three-year contract, the Saudi Pro League club announced.
Kante, 32, has been a mainstay at Chelsea, winning the Champions League, Premier League, Europa League and FA Cup during his time with the club. He also won the 2018 World Cup with France.
“Stop! Don’t listen to the fake news, I’m a Tiger now,” Kante said on a video post on Al-Ittihad’s official Twitter handle.
Kanté is wearing the yellow jersey!
📦 to 📦
#WelcomeBox2Box pic.twitter.com/swt8eVdM81— Ittihad Club (@ittihad_en) June 20, 2023
The France international, who joined Chelsea from Leicester City in 2016, will team up with compatriot and Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema at Al-Ittihad.
Kante was named the Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year and the Professional Footballers’ Association Player of the Year for the 2016-2017 Premier League season.
Al Ittihad are managed by former Wolves and Tottenham boss Nuno Espirito Santo and finished five points ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr – who came second – last season in the Saudi Pro League.