KANTE WILL JOIN BENZEMA AT SAUDI ARABIA’S AL-ITTIHAD.

N’Golo Kante, a French midfielder who won the World Cup, has agreed to a three-year contract with Al-Ittihad of Saudi Arabia, a club source told AFP on Wednesday, a day after Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema also joined the team.

Kante, 32, had a complete medical before the deal was signed, the source said on the condition of anonymity since they were not authorized to release the details.

With a history of injuries, the departing Chelsea player, who won the 2018 World Cup in Russia, missed six months of this season due to a hamstring issue.

The club source would not say how much was exchanged in the agreement, which comes as the oil-rich Gulf monarchy purchases a large number of players for the Saudi Pro League at home.

The 35-year-old French Ballon d’Or winner Benzema was officially announced on Tuesday as a significant acquisition for Jeddah-based Al-Ittihad, also on a three-year contract.

The most recent additions follow Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo’s January move to Saudi Arabia’s Al-Nassr, reportedly for a transaction worth more than 400 million euros.

According to a source close to the negotiations, Saudi officials have contacted Benzema, Kante, and Argentine great Lionel Messi among a list of ten targets.