RIYADH, June 7 — World Cup-winning French midfielder N’Golo Kante has signed a three-year deal with Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ittihad, a club source told AFP today, a day after Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema also joined the team.

Kante, 32, underwent a full medical before the contract was signed, the source said on condition of anonymity, not being authorised to make the information public.

The departing Chelsea player, who lifted the 2018 World Cup in Russia, has a history of injuries and missed six months of this season with a hamstring problem.

The club source did not divulge the size of the deal, which comes as the oil-rich Gulf monarchy buys up a swathe of players for its domestic Saudi Pro League.

Yesterday, Benzema, the 35-year-old French Ballon d’Or-winner, was confirmed as a major signing for Jeddah-based Al-Ittihad, also on a three-year contract.

The latest signings come after Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo joined Saudi Arabia’s Al-Nassr in January in a deal said to be worth more than €400 million (RM1.97 billion).

Benzema, Kante and Argentine great Lionel Messi are on a list of 10 targets who have been contacted by Saudi officials, a source close to the negotiations told AFP this week. — AFP