(Reuters) – Barcelona’s Franck Kessie has joined Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli, the Laliga club announced on Wednesday.
Al-Ahli will pay 12.5 million euros ($13.72 million) for the 26-year-old, who joined Barca from AC Milan in 2022.
However, the Ivory Coast midfielder struggled to secure a place in Xavi’s starting lineup.
Al-Ahli have appointed Matthias Jaissle as manager on a three-year deal after Red Bull Salzburg sacked the German coach.
Kessie became the fifth Europe-based player to join Al-Ahli, who returned to the Pro league following a season in the second division, after Riyad Mahrez, Roberto Firmino, goalkeeper Edouard Mendy and Alain Saint-Maximin.
The Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) have announced a Sports Clubs Investment and Privatization Project involving the league champions Al-Ittihad, Al-Ahli, Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal.
PIF owns 75% of each of the four clubs, while their respective non-profit foundations own 25% of each.
(Reporting by Shady Amir in Cairo and Tommy Lund in Gdansk)
