French midfield icon N’Golo Kanté has officially parted ways with Al-Ittihad after the Saudi Pro League outfit confirmed the termination of his contract on Monday. The 34-year-old World Cup winner will now embark on a new chapter in Turkey with Fenerbahçe, concluding a high-stakes transfer saga that nearly collapsed due to a technical error. FIFA intervened to authorize the move after an initial administrative oversight by the Jeddah-based club prevented the documentation from being finalized within the standard registration window.
Kanté has committed to a long-term agreement with the Istanbul giants that will keep him at the Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium until the summer of 2028. The breakthrough brings an end to 48 hours of intense speculation during which the deal appeared to be in jeopardy, leaving the former Chelsea star’s future in limbo. Reports suggest the transfer was part of a strategic arrangement that saw striker Youssef En-Nesyri move in the opposite direction to Al-Ittihad, though it required the official voiding of Kanté’s remaining term in Saudi Arabia to satisfy regulatory requirements.
The move marks a significant return to European football for Kanté, who remains a vital part of Didier Deschamps’ plans for the French national team. Fenerbahçe officials worked tirelessly alongside global governing bodies to correct the data entry errors that had initially stalled the transaction. With his registration now validated, Kanté is expected to join his new teammates later this week as the club continues its pursuit of the Süper Lig title.
In a brief and direct statement shared on their digital platforms, Al-Ittihad finalized the departure of their star midfielder: “The club agrees to sell the remaining period of N’Golo Kanté’s contract.”
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