EPL

Man City star Mahrez joins Saudi club Al-Ahli

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Riyad Mahrez has completed his transfer from Manchester City to Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Ahli.

The Algerian winger, who is 32 years old and played for Leicester for 11 years, joined Pep Guardiola’s team in 2018.

“The wait is over: Riyad is real,” the Saudi Pro League club said in a social media post.

Last week, City and Al-Ahli agreed on a fee that is thought to be worth up to £30 million ($38.6 million).

“To play for Manchester City has been an honour and privilege,” Mahrez told City’s website.

“I came to City to win trophies and enjoy my football and I achieved all that and so much more.

“I have had five unforgettable years with this football club, working with unbelievable players, fantastic supporters, and the best manager in the world.”

Txiki Begiristain, who is in charge of football at City, paid tribute to the Algerian star.

“There are few wingers that possess his levels of skill and technique in world football, and he will be missed, but everyone will wish him all the best as he begins a new chapter in his career,” he said.

Thursday, Liverpool and Al-Ettifaq both said that Jordan Henderson, who is the captain of the Reds, was moving to the Saudi league.

Karim Benzema, a French striker, left Real Madrid to play for Al-Ittihad, just like his former Real teammate Cristiano Ronaldo, who now plays for Al-Nassr.

N’Golo Kante from Chelsea and Roberto Firmino, who used to play with Henderson at Liverpool, are two other Premier League players who have moved to Saudi Arabia.

People often say that Saudi Arabia’s big spending on sports is “sportswashing” — an attempt to draw attention away from its record on human rights.

Last year, 81 people were put to death in one day by the conservative monarchy. Homosexuality is illegal, and the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in 2018 drew international condemnation.