Algerian international Ryad Mahrez leaves Manchester City to join Saudi Arabian club Al Ahli. The recently promoted team in the Saudi Pro League confirmed the news via social media on Friday.
After the arrivals of Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kanté, Brozovic, Kalidou Koulibaly, and Edouard Mendy, Saudi Arabia continues to expand its football. The oil-rich state welcomed a new star on Friday in the form of Riyad Mahrez. The Algerian international has left Manchester City, the current European champions, to join newly-promoted Al Ahli. According to British media, City received €30 million plus €5 million in variables in this deal.
The club based in Jeddah unveiled this information through a video released on their social media platforms. In the video, the 32-year-old Fennec can be seen in Paris, proudly donning his new colors with the name “Mahrez” on the back and the number “2027,” confirming the duration of his contract with the new team. Riyad Mahrez will reunite with well-known players at Al Ahli, who also joined the club this summer, namely Roberto Firmino and Edouard Mendy.
An incredible journey in the Premier League After a remarkable career in the Premier League, Riyad Mahrez is now preparing to turn this page, marking the end of a memorable journey in English football. The Algerian arrived in the English top-flight in 2014 with the promotion of Leicester City, the club where he was playing at the time.
In 2016, after an outstanding season with Leicester, the Foxes achieved one of the greatest surprises in sports history by winning the Premier League, and Mahrez was named the league’s best player. His ability to break through opposing defenses, his vision of the game, and his flair for decisive moments quickly made him one of the most formidable players in the league.
In search of new challenges, Riyad Mahrez made a big leap by joining Manchester City in 2018. Under the guidance of the legendary Pep Guardiola, Mahrez showcased his talent by actively contributing to the conquest of four more Premier League titles with the Citizens. His contribution did not end there, as he also helped the club win the UEFA Champions League in 2023, as well as several domestic cups.
