Riyad Mahrez joins Saudi club Al-Ahli

LONDON: Manchester City forward Riyad Mahrez has left the treble winners to join Saudi side Al-Ahli, the two clubs announced on Friday. The 32-year-old Algerian winger joined Pep Guardiola’s team in 2018 from Leicester, winning 11 major trophies at the club. “The wait is over: Riyad is real,” the Saudi Pro League club said in a social media post.

x1 Champions League x4 Premier League x2 FA Cup x3 League Cup x1 Community Shield 236 apps 78 goals, 59 assists

An incredible City career for @Mahrez22! pic.twitter.com/bcP7dqzLHs

— Manchester City (@ManCity) July 28, 2023

City agreed a fee understood to be worth up to £30 million ($38.6 million) with Al-Ahli last week. “I came to City to win trophies and enjoy my football and I achieved all that and so much more,” Mahrez said in a statement from the Premier League club.

Dear Cityzens,

Today marks the end of an unforgettable chapter in my life, a five-year journey filled with countless memories. Before leaving, I wanted to thank the board, the manager and the staff for giving me the chance to prove myself at the highest level.

To my teammates,… pic.twitter.com/81mVXGoKrH

— Riyad Mahrez (@Mahrez22) July 28, 2023

“I have had five unforgettable years with this football club, working with unbelievable players, fantastic supporters, and the best manager in the world.” Mahrez is the latest big-name player to move to the cash-rich Saudi league.