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Chelsea confirm Edouard Mendy sale to Al Ahli, joins N’golo Kante and Kalidou Koulibaly in moving to Saudi Arabia
Chelsea have confirmed goalkeeper Edouard Mendy has officially left the club in order to join Al Ahli in the Saudi Pro League.
Under previous manager Thomas Tuchel, Senegal was the Blues’ primary goalkeeper and was vital to their successful Champions League run in 2020–21, allowing only twice in seven games.
The 31-year-old Senegal international is the newest player to leave Stamford Bridge during the Premier League club’s ongoing summer of change.
After Kalidou Koulibaly and N’Golo Kante left for teams in the Saudi Pro League, Al-Hilal and Al-Ittihad, respectively, he is the third player to leave Chelsea for a side in the Saudi Pro League.
A statement from Chelsea said: “Edouard Mendy has left Chelsea after three seasons and completed a permanent transfer to Saudi Professional League side Al-Ahli.
“The 31-year-old will be best remembered at Stamford Bridge for the key role he played on our run to Champions League glory in 2021.
“Having started his career in the lower tiers of French football – and even spending several months without a club – Mendy rose to the pinnacle of European football with Chelsea.
“A hugely likeable character on and off the pitch, he will always have a place in our history for his significant contributions to our 2021 Champions League triumph.
“For that, and for everything else, we are grateful. Good luck, Edou! “
Edou Mendy has left Chelsea and joined Al-Ahli FC. ✍️
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) June 28, 2023
Mendy initially joined the Blues in 2020, moving from Rennes, and helped the team win the Champions League that year while compiling a club-record nine clean sheets.
In addition to playing a key role in his nation’s triumphant AFCON title win that year, this resulted in him earning the 2021 Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper Award.
However, following a slump in form and a flurry of management changes at Chelsea, Mendy fell out of favor, with Kepa Arrizabalaga chosen.