Al-Ittihad has officially confirmed the termination of midfielder N’Golo Kanté’s contract, paving the way for his move to Turkish Süper Lig club Fenerbahçe. The deal, pending final administrative steps, follows FIFA’s approval for the transfer after an initial procedural hold-up.
Kanté, the 33-year-old French World Cup winner, is set to sign a contract with Fenerbahçe that runs until 2028. His departure ends a brief and injury-disrupted stint in Saudi Arabia, where he joined Al-Ittihad on a free transfer from Chelsea in 2023. The move to Istanbul represents a return to European football for the defensive midfielder, who remains a highly respected figure following key roles in Leicester City’s title win and France’s 2018 World Cup triumph.
The transfer process encountered an unexpected delay due to what sources described as an administrative error, likely related to international clearance or paperwork. FIFA intervention was required to resolve the issue, granting the necessaryGo-ahead for Kanté to be registered by his new club. This approval cleared the final major obstacle for the deal to proceed.
Al-Ittihad acknowledged the exit in a succinct statement posted on its official social media channels. “The club agrees to sell the remaining period of N’Golo Kanté’s contract,” the statement read, formally concluding the player’s association with the Jeddah-based club. Kanté made only a handful of appearances for Al-Ittihad before recurring injury issues interrupted his season.
Fenerbahçe, a major force in Turkish football, is expected to announce Kanté’s signing imminently once formalities are completed. His arrival is considered a significant coup for the club, bringing vast experience and a winning mentality to their midfield. For Kanté, the move offers a chance to regain consistent playing time in a competitive league as he prepares for the latter stage of his career.
The resolution removes a period of uncertainty surrounding the player’s future over the past 48 hours. It concludes a chapter marked more by frustration and limited impact than the success Kanté has historically enjoyed. His next chapter begins in Turkey, where he will link up with a Fenerbahçe squad aiming to challenge for domestic titles and make an impact in Europe.
