Mahrez leaves Man City: Manchester City star Riyad Mahrez has shocked the football world by joining Saudi Arabian club Al-Ahli in a £30 million deal. The Algerian winger, who helped City win the Champions League last season, has signed a four-year contract with the Saudi Pro League outfit.
Mahrez bids farewell to City after three successful seasons
Mahrez joined City from Leicester City in 2018 for a then club-record fee of £60 million. He made 236 appearances for the Cityzens, scoring 78 goals and providing 59 assists. He won 11 major trophies with City, including three Premier League titles, two FA Cups, and one Champions League.
The 32-year-old thanked City and its fans for their support and said he was proud of his achievements at the Etihad Stadium. He also praised manager Pep Guardiola for improving his game and helping him reach his potential.
“I want to say thank you to Manchester City for these amazing three years. I have enjoyed every moment of it and I have learned a lot from Pep and my teammates. I am very proud of what we have accomplished together and I will always have a special place in my heart for this club and its fans,” Mahrez said in a statement.
Al-Ahli welcome Mahrez as their marquee signing
Al-Ahli announced the signing of Mahrez on their official website and social media platforms, calling him a “world-class player” and a “great addition” to their squad. They also revealed that Mahrez will wear the number 10 shirt for the club.
Al-Ahli are one of the most successful clubs in Saudi Arabia, having won 13 league titles, 13 King’s Cups, and six Crown Prince Cups. They are currently second in the Saudi Pro League table, four points behind leaders Al-Hilal.
The club’s chairman, Abdulrahman Al-Nemer, said he was delighted to secure the services of Mahrez and hoped he would help them achieve their goals.
“We are very happy to welcome Riyad Mahrez to Al-Ahli. He is a world-class player who has proven himself at the highest level of European football. He is a great addition to our team and we hope he will help us win more trophies and make our fans happy,” Al-Nemer said.
Mahrez explains his decision to join Al-Ahli
Mahrez said he was excited to join Al-Ahli and start a new challenge in his career. He said he was impressed by the club’s ambition and vision and was looking forward to playing in front of their passionate supporters.
“I am very excited to join Al-Ahli. It is a big club with a great history and a lot of ambition. I was impressed by their vision and their project to become one of the best clubs in Asia and the world. I am looking forward to playing in front of their passionate fans and giving my best for them,” Mahrez said.
Mahrez also revealed that he was influenced by his compatriot Yacine Brahimi, who plays for Al-Hilal, to make the move to Saudi Arabia. He said he spoke to Brahimi about the league and the country and was convinced by his positive feedback.
“I spoke to Yacine Brahimi before making this decision. He told me good things about the league and the country. He said it is a competitive league with good players and good teams. He also said it is a nice country with good people and good weather. He encouraged me to come here and experience something new,” Mahrez said.
