EPL: Riyad Mahrez completes £30 million move to Al-Ahli
32-year-old Algerian footballer, Riyad Mahrez has become the latest superstar to move to the Saudi Pro League after signing with Al-Ahli.
Mahrez signed a 3-year deal with Al-Ahli for a reported fee of £30m. The deal was completed days after he was given permission not to turn up for Manchester City’s pre-season tour of Japan and South Korea.
Since signing for City in 2018 from Leicester, Mahrez has won four Premier League titles, two FA Cups, three Carabao Cups, and the Champions League with Manchester City.
He arrived at the Etihad in the summer of 2018 for a then club-record £60m after playing an influential role in Leicester’s Premier League title-winning season in 2015/16.
Commenting on his move to Al-Ahli, Mahrez said;
“To play for Manchester City has been an honour and privilege. 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.
“I’ve made a lifetime of wonderful memories and the manner of our Premier League title wins and the battles we’ve had with Liverpool and, last year, Arsenal, underlined our collective desire and mentality to be the best.
“Manchester City will forever be a huge and happy part of my life.”
Mahrez played 284 Premier League games in total, notching 82 goals and 61 assists. Manchester City has already lost Ilkay Gundogan to Barcelona this summer, and it is speculated that Kyle Walker and Bernardo Silva might also leave the club.
The 2023 summer transfer window has seen big-name players such as Ruben Neves, Karim Benzema, and Roberto Firmino all move to clubs in Saudi Arabia for lucrative offers.
