N’Golo Kante joins Al Ittihad in Saudi Arabia, reuniting with Benzema | Football News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: French midfielder and World Cup winner N’Golo Kante has made a surprising move to join Saudi Arabian champions Al Ittihad, according to an official statement by the club on Wednesday. Kante will reunite with his compatriot Karim Benzema at the Jeddah-based team.
In a tweet, Al Ittihad announced, “Kante is an Ittihad player now!” The club’s chairman, Anmar al-Hailee, also expressed his excitement, welcoming Kante as the team’s “new tiger,” referring to the club’s nickname.
Kante, known for his tireless work rate and exceptional midfield performances, adds to an increasing number of European stars opting to continue their careers in Saudi Arabia. His illustrious club career includes winning the Champions League and World Club Cup with Chelsea, as well as securing back-to-back Premier League titles with Leicester City and Chelsea.

Al-Ittihad provided limited details about the transfer, confirming that Kante has signed a three-year contract with the club. However, the statement did not disclose the financial terms of the agreement.
The signing of Kante is seen as a significant and impactful move for Al-Ittihad, aiming to establish itself as a preferred destination for world-class players in the Saudi Professional League.
The 32-year-old’s arrival follows that of former Real Madrid star Karim Benzema, who joined Al-Ittihad earlier this month. In a video shared online by the club, Benzema congratulated his fellow Frenchman, stating, “One time I told you, you’re the best player, box to box, in the world. Now I’m happy to play with you again, and of course in the best team in Saudi.”

Expressing his enthusiasm, Kante stated that he is “very excited to play for the Tigers,” referring to Al-Ittihad’s nickname.
Saudi Arabia’s league has made significant strides in attracting renowned footballers, having previously signed Cristiano Ronaldo, who joined Al-Nassr in January. Rumours also suggest that Portuguese international Ruben Neves, formerly of Wolves, is set to join Al Hilal.

With its abundant oil resources, Saudi Arabia has rapidly emerged as a major player in world sports, investing billions of dollars to bolster its presence. The kingdom aims to host the World Cup, a move intended to enhance its global standing and diversify its oil-dependent economy by attracting tourists and investors.
In the coming years, Saudi Arabia is scheduled to organise several major sporting events, including the men’s Asian Cup football, the Asian Games (an Olympic-style event), and the Asian Winter Games in 2029.
(With inputs from AFP)