N’Golo Kanté joins Fenerbahce from Al-Ittihad with Erdogan’s support

• N’Golo Kanté completed his transfer from Saudi side Al-Ittihad to Turkish club Fenerbahce, with support from President Recep Tayyip Erdogan
• The 34-year-old World Cup winner had previously won two Premier League titles with Leicester City and Chelsea
• Fenerbahce, 19-time Turkish champions, also signed France international Matteo Guendouzi during the winter transfer window and aim to challenge for the Süper Lig title

French midfielder N’Golo Kanté has completed a transfer to Turkish club Fenerbahce from Saudi side Al-Ittihad, the club announced on Wednesday, crediting President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for supporting the deal.

The 34-year-old World Cup winner, who will turn 35 next month, was initially expected to move to Istanbul earlier, but the transfer was delayed due to an administrative error. The terms of Kanté’s contract have not been disclosed, though the move gives the two-time Premier League champion (Leicester 2016, Chelsea 2017) a chance to strengthen his case for selection in France’s squad for the next World Cup.

Fenerbahce president Sadettin Saran said, “Our club has completed the transfer of N’Golo Kanté, a prominent figure in world football. On behalf of myself and our club, I would like to express my gratitude to our President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for his significant support in ensuring the positive conclusion of this process, which will contribute to the development of both Fenerbahce and Turkish football.”

The Istanbul-based club, 19-time Turkish champions, have also signed fellow France international Matteo Guendouzi during the winter transfer window. Fenerbahçe are currently three points behind rivals Galatasaray in the Süper Lig and are set to face Nottingham Forest in the Europa League knockout phase play-offs later this month.