Kante joins Saudi Arabian champions

Saudi Arabia Midfielder N'Golo Kante will become Karim Benzema's teammate at Al Ittihad Club from next season.

"The contract with Kante has been completed, after he passed the tests at a medical center in Dubai," Al Ittihad Club announced on the evening of June 20. Kante's current contract with Chelsea ends on June 30. According to ESPN , the 32-year-old French midfielder signed a three-year contract with Al Ittihad and received a salary of 110 million USD per year.

Kante is the third star to join a Saudi Arabian club in 2023. Previously, in January, Cristiano Ronaldo signed a contract with Al Nassr until June 2025. In early June, Karim Benzema terminated his contract with Real Madrid a year early to join Al Ittihad. Ronaldo and Benzema both receive a salary of 200 million USD per year.

Kante shows off his new jersey after completing his medical with Al Ittihad. Photo: Al Ittihad

According to ESPN , another Saudi Arabian club, Al Hilal, is in talks to buy Ruben Neves from Wolves. Three Chelsea players, Hakim Ziyech, Edouard Mendy and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang are also targets of these clubs.

However, Lionel Messi turned down the opportunity to join Al Hilal and receive a salary of 400 million. The captain of the Argentina national team decided to go to the US to play for Inter Miami, after leaving PSG. Son Heung Min also turned down Al Ittihad and a salary of 33 million. "I still have a lot of work to do in the Premier League," the 30-year-old Tottenham striker said on June 20. "Money is not important to me now. The pride of playing in my favorite league is important."

Kante played a key role in Leicester City's 2016 and Chelsea's 2017 Premier League titles, becoming the first player to win consecutive English titles with two different clubs since Eric Cantona in 1993. Kante also won the 2018 FA Cup, 2019 Europa League, 2021 Champions League with Chelsea and the 2018 World Cup with France.

Last season, Kante played only nine games for Chelsea due to injury. New owner Todd Boehly decided not to renew the contract of the 32-year-old midfielder. Chelsea are facing a summer of turmoil. In addition to Kante, Hakim Ziyech, Edouard Mendy, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Christian Pulisic, Mateo Kovacic and Mason Mount are also looking for new clubs.

Last season, Al Ittihad won the Saudi Arabian championship, the ninth Saudi Pro League. Coach Nuno Santo's team won 72 points after 30 matches, five points ahead of second-placed Al Nassr and 13 points ahead of third-placed Al Hilal.

Al Ittihad recruited Benzema and Kante as they aim to defend their title and aim for the 2023 FIFA Club World Cup. They are participating in the FIFA Club World Cup as hosts. The remaining six teams are all continental champions, including UEFA Champions League winners Man City.

Thanh Quy (according to ESPN )

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