JUne 28, (THEWILL) – Chelsea goalkeeper, Edouard Mendy, has completed his move to Saudi Arabian club, Al-Ahli, as announced by both clubs on Wednesday.
Al-Ahli were excited about the signing and shared the news on Twitter in a post that read: “The Lion of Teranga protects our goal.” Mendy, who joined Chelsea from Stade Rennais in 2020, played a key role in the club’s success, helping them secure their second UEFA Champions League title with a memorable 1-0 victory over Manchester City in 2021.
However, with the departure of Chelsea’s former manager Thomas Tuchel, Mendy found himself slipping down the pecking order under coaches Graham Potter and Frank Lampard, with Kepa Arrizabalaga becoming the preferred choice in goal. He decided to not wait to see who Mauricio Pochettino will favour and opted for the Saudi Pro League.
Saudi Arabia has become an attractive destination for players based in Europe, particularly following Cristiano Ronaldo’s move to Al-Nassr in January. Reigning league champions Al-Ittihad have been making significant waves in the transfer market, recently securing the services of Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema and former Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante. These high-profile signings highlight the growing appeal of the Saudi Pro League for renowned players seeking new challenges, opportunities and a fat cheque.
Mendy’s departure from Chelsea marks a significant milestone in his career as he embarks on a new chapter in Saudi Arabia. The fans will remember those performances he delivered for Chelsea, most of which played a crucial role in their recent achievements.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
