EPL

Saudi Arabian side Al-Ahli sign Edouard Mendy from Chelsea

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Senegal captain Edouard Mendy has left Chelsea after three years to join Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli.

Mendy reportedly cost Al-Ahli approximately £16 million ($20 million) after he decided to leave the Premier League club after losing his starting position to Kepa Arrizabalaga in the second half of last season.

“Welcome Mendy… best goalkeeper in the world,” Al-Ahli posted on social media accompanied by a video clip of the 31-year-old putting pen to paper on his contract.

“Having started his career in the lower tiers of French football – and even spending several months without a club – Mendy rose to the pinnacle of European football with Chelsea,” a statement on Chelsea’s website said.

“A hugely likeable character on and off the pitch, he will always have a place in our history for his significant contributions to our 2021 Champions League triumph.

“For that, and for everything else, we are grateful. Good luck, Edou!”

Mendy helped Chelsea win the Champions League in 2021, but he only appeared once for the club after returning from the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Following Thomas Tuchel’s dismissal as Chelsea manager in September, his replacement Graham Potter and interim manager Frank Lampard both preferred to use Kepa in goal.

A player who was named UEFA’s custodian of the season and FIFA’s best male custodian in 2021 experienced a shocking fall from grace.

Mendy joins former World Cup champions N’Golo Kante and Kalidou Koulibaly in departing Stamford Bridge for Saudi Professional League clubs Al-Ittihad and Al-Hilal, respectively.

Hakim Ziyech, another Chelsea player expected to depart this summer, is believed to be on the verge of joining Al-Nassr after a deal was reached to bring him to the Gulf state.

The Blues are eager to get rid of as many unwanted players as possible before June 30 so that the sales can be reflected in their 2022/23 financial statements.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s January transfer from Manchester United to Al Nassr kicked off the recent wave of European players lured to Saudi Arabia by the promise of enormous salaries.

Karim Benzema, a former Real Madrid teammate of Cristiano Ronaldo, has joined Kante at Al-Ittihad after the France striker made the unexpected decision to leave the Spanish giants.

The 26-year-old Portuguese international Ruben Neves left Wolves for Al-Hilal last week.