Kante becomes the latest high-profile player to head to Saudi Arabia. He will link up with former Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema at Al Ittihad.
Saudi Pro League champions Al Ittihad have announced the signing of N’Golo Kante from Chelsea.
The Frenchman will join on a three-year contract which is worth roughly €86m and becomes Al Ittihad’s second high profile signing of the summer following Karim Benzema’s arrival.
Al Ittihad said in a statement: “The contract [with Kante] was finalized on Tuesday, June 20th, after he completed his medical tests at a specialized medical center in Dubai.
“This move comes as Ittihad, who recently won the Saudi Professional League, aims to strengthen their squad.
“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 has brought to an end his seven-year stay at Chelsea, where he helped the club win six major honours, including one Premier League title and their second-ever Champions League.
He arrived in England back in 2015, spending one year at Leicester City and playing a starring role in their miraculous title-winning season.
The 32-year-old’s final year at Chelsea was hampered by injury, picking up a hamstring problem against Tottenham on the second weekend of the campaign and not featuring again until the spring.